Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.
Obituaries
GERALD PAUL LEVIN SEPTEMBER 10, 1958 – NOVEMBER 4, 2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Gerald Levin, beloved husband of Carol, on November 4, 2024. Gerald was a cherished and devoted partner, and his absence will leave a profound void in the hearts of his wife Carol, his mother Monica, his brothers Martin (Sarena), Roy (Rachel), and Jeff (Tobi), Carol’s family, and his many adoring nieces and nephews, who were always close to his heart. He was predeceased by his father Lou, whose memory he carried with him throughout his life.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Gerald grew up in a busy household with three brothers, and he was a lifelong and proud Winnipegger. The Levins were a tightknit family, and summers at their cottage at Winnipeg Beach created many lasting and cherished memories.
Gerald graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce with honours from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Commerce in 1980. In 1985 he achieved his Chartered Accountant designation and was admitted into the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. Gerald’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found his own company, FPS Consultants, where he proudly dedicated his time and expertise to his numerous clients in Winnipeg as well as rural communities throughout Manitoba. Gerald’s warmth, generosity, and unshakable commitment to his clients made him a beloved figure, known for both his professional acumen and his personal kindness.
Gerald was an avid and skilled horseback rider from an early age. His love of horses would prove serendipitous in him meeting his future wife Carol, another accomplished and enthusiastic equestrian. The two forged an inseparable and loving bond through years of frequent stable visits and trail rides through the Assiniboine Forest and Birds Hill Park. Their mutual adoration for horses was surpassed only by their love for each other, and in 1995 they married. When Carol and Gerald were able to spare time away from their horses, they enjoyed trips to New York and winter get aways to Palm Springs and Florida.
Gerald introduced Carol to the sport of polo, and both became skilled players. Their shared enjoyment and dedication to the game took them to cities across Canada and the United States, and they made many lifelong friends along the way. Gerald’s involvement and support for the game extended off the polo pitch as well, as he served as the Treasurer for the Canadian Polo Association for years. His polo career spanned decades with numerous accomplishments and accolades. He was an internationally ranked player by the United States Polo Association, and he regularly played in international tournaments at both the amateur and professional levels. He was a founding member of the Royal Winnipeg Polo Club, and he helped organize and played in tournaments supporting many charitable causes.
Two highlights of Gerald’s polo career were his recognition by Sports Manitoba as a top amateur athlete from 2005 to 2009, as well as being a finalist in the Canadian Jewish Amateur Athlete of the Year Awards in 2009. Gerald’s passion for the game was unmatched, and he was always keen to share his polo knowledge, experience, and wisdom as a mentor to the younger polo players he met along the way.
Gerald’s athleticism also extended to hockey. Every season he was a regular participant in a league where he always enjoyed going to the rink and playing a game of ‘old time hockey’ alongside his competitive but also fun-loving teammates. When he had time, he loved just skating with stick and puck, at a local outdoor hockey rink with friends, and he derived hours of pleasure from this classic Winnipeg winter pastime. Gerald was not just an avid participant in sports, he was also a lifelong sports fan, and he was a regular attendee at Blue Bomber and Jets games.
Gerald’s Jewish faith was especially important to him, and he was an active member in his congregation at Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Synagogue. He observed all Jewish holidays and Carol and Gerald often hosted celebratory get-togethers at their home. Passover and Rosh Hashanah dinners were always memorable, and invitations to celebrate these holidays were especially coveted, as all family and friends were made to feel welcome and entertained at the Levin table. Gerald loved sharing his knowledge of all the traditional rituals and customs with his guests.
Gerald’s love for life, his infectious joy and humour, and his unwavering support and love for his family and friends will never be forgotten.
Funeral services have taken place, and a private unveiling of a headstone dedicated to his loving memory was held in the summer.
Donations in Gerald’s honour and memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
