Obituaries
MARTIN BRICKER August 12, 1953 – June 26, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father Martin on June 26, 2022.
Martin was born in Winnipeg, a son to Lucille (Binder) and Irving Bricker.
Martin attended Talmud Torah and Joseph Wolinsky schools. He studied sociology at the University of Manitoba, followed by a special education degree in Toronto, and a diploma in Interior Design. He worked in Toronto for a year before returning to Winnipeg to join his father and sister in the operation of the family business, Winnipeg Drapery.
In 1980 Martin met his lifelong love and soulmate Debby (Roitman). They were married on August 16, 1981 and created a loving, warm and haymishe home. Martin was an avid reader and excellent cook and baker, and the Bricker household always had the scent of fresh cooking or baking. He loved to share recipes with his sister, sisters-in-law, and daughter. A lifetime of beautiful memories, of the most loving and devoted husband and father, will be cherished forever by Martin’s beloved wife, Debby; his children, David Bricker and Ivy Bricker-Ford; and son-in-law, Nicholas Ford. Martin is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lesley and Laurie Goldberg, and Harriet and Martin Glazer; brother-in-law Michael Perl; nieces and nephews, Rachel Goldberg, Mikaela Goldberg, Matthew Goldberg, Ryan Glazer, Tali Glazer, Eytan Perl, Aviya Perl, Sheila Novek, and great-nephew Jacob Perl. Martin is also missed by cherished friends Howard, Hope, Josh and Samantha Morry, and machatunim Diane and John Ford. He was predeceased by his Babee Teibel Binder, his parents Lucille and Irving Bricker, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Boomy and Sam Roitman, and sister Marilyn (Bricker) Perl.
Martin and his sister Marilyn enjoyed many years working side by side and took over the family business in the fall of 1984 following the death of their father. Martin and his sister sold their company in February 2020 and cherished the many years of working with wonderful customers, suppliers, and installers. Martin’s devotion to his community was evident in his charity work and his involvement in the Jewish Board of Education, Winnipeg Chapter of the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University and Holocaust Education. He was a Parent Advisory Council Chairperson and the President of the Board of Jewish Education. He co-chaired several events for Holocaust Education. Martin was very involved in the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University where he was the chairman of “The World Film Premiere of Einstein Tonight” and was the Chairperson of the Professional and Business Division from 1992-1993. Martin was the recipient of the “Harry Silverberg Leadership Development Award” from the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council’s Combined Jewish Appeal on December 7th, 1993, for his valuable contribution to his work in the Jewish Community.
His wife and children gave him deep fulfillment and joy until the day he passed. He enjoyed the planning and the celebration of Ivy and Nick’s wedding on May 1st, 2022. Martin fulfilled his greatest dream when he walked Ivy down the aisle and danced with her at the wedding. Martin passed after a long and courageous battle with cancer, eight weeks after Ivy and Nick’s wedding, and six months after the death of his beloved schvester Marilyn.
Thank you to Dr. Mayba for his excellent care over many years. A special thank you to Dr. Kidane, Dr. Gingerich, Nurse Cheryl, Dr. Bieko and the Gamma Knife nurses. Rabbi Matthew Leibl conducted a graveside ceremony at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on June 28, 2022. A private shiva was held at Lesley and Laurie Goldberg’s home. Pallbearers were: Eytan Perl, Laurie Goldberg, Matthew Goldberg, Evan Bloomfield, Josh Vickar and Lorne Stoller. Donations in Martin’s memory can be made to Cancercare Manitoba, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue or charity of your choice.
Obituaries
BARBARA ELAINE WINESTOCK
Barbara Elaine Winestock, maiden name Block, was born on the 27th of May 1951 to parents, Hymie and Gertie Block. She grew up in Hodgson, Manitoba and then Winnipeg’s north end with her parents and younger sister Ava. In short, Barbara was chaos.
In 1980, she married Larry Winestock, who she had met only months prior. When they remembered their plane tickets, the two traveled around the world and when they remembered their luggage, they did so with clothing. They were chronically late, habitually unprepared and perpetually entertaining. Their love was sincere and their fights were like cats and dogs with rabies. Their family would be completed after years of trying to adopt, when they got the “once in a lifetime” opportunity twice, adopting Gabriel in 1989 and Bailey in 1992.
Barbara was so many things to so many people. She did so much throughout her life. She sold advertising spots for CKRC, she taught at the Rady Centre, she sewed, she gardened, she painted and so much more. She was loud, outgoing and made friends everywhere she went.
In 2019 she was diagnosed with brain cancer and given a prognosis of 11 months. This impending date was however not enough to overwhelm her aforementioned chronic lateness. She wouldn’t make this appointment for another six years. She beat it for so long.
Barbara passed away on September 21, 2025. Due to the impending holidays the funeral was held on the 22nd of September at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We miss you Bobs.
Obituaries
KEVIN ROSEN
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kevin Rosen, aged 54, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, following a determined and courageous battle with ALS. Kevin was the beloved son of Harvey Rosen (z”l) and Judy Goodman, loving husband of Judi Price-Rosen, devoted father of Emery, cherished brother of Pam, and special brother-in-law of Barbi and Jared Green. He was also the proud uncle of Stella, Jakob, Miranda and Micah, a treasured cousin, and a loyal friend to so many.
Kevin was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Garden City where he attended Talmud Torah, Jefferson Junior High and Garden City Collegiate. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1996 with an Honours degree in Commerce and soon after, headed to Toronto. It was there that he met the love of his life, Judi, and they married in 2000. Soon after their wedding, the newlyweds returned to Winnipeg to start their new life together. For 25 years, their love for each other remained unwavering and strong. Kevin’s calm demeanor and his remarkable ability to find humour in any situation helped them weather life’s challenges together.
In 2006, Judi and Kevin became a family with the birth of their son, Emery. Kevin’s greatest joy was being a dad and fatherhood came naturally to him. He parented with patience, empathy and gentle guidance. Whether it was watching cartoons and funny TikTok clips together, or a surprise trip to Toronto to take in a Blue Jays game, Kevin always made “father-son time” a priority.
Kevin had a long and successful career in marketing and communications that began in Toronto, and continued in Winnipeg at Gateway Publishing. Most of his employment experience was in higher education. He was hired as Marketing Manager at Red River College in 2004, and in 2012, reached the pinnacle of his career as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the University of Winnipeg. Kevin led with integrity and humility and genuinely cared about the people he supervised. He was respected and well-liked by his colleagues and many remained in close touch after his early retirement.
Kevin was also an avid runner who completed seven full marathons. For years, he had trained his body and mind to push through that last gruelling mile with tenacity and intense focus. Like his favorite movie hero Rocky Balboa, Kevin was built for an epic fight. Little did he know that in his case, the stakes would be so much higher. The fight of Kevin’s life – and for his life – began with a diagnosis of ALS just months before he turned 50.
ALS may have changed his life, but Kevin never let it define him. He remained fiercely independent, continued to nurture relationships with family and friends, and welcomed visitors with a playful smile, a joke, and incredible patience. Even after he lost the ability to speak, Kevin’s quirky sense of humor remained, shining through via text, his computerized surrogate voice, and that signature glint in his eyes.
He was kindness personified. A wonderful listener. Loyal. Thoughtful. Humble. A true mensch.
To paraphrase his late father, we all won the lottery of life for having had the privilege of knowing and loving Kevin Rosen.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the many doctors, nurses and specialists involved in Kevin’s care: the staff at the Motor Neuron Clinic, his WRHA Palliative Care Team, Diana at the ALS Society of Manitoba, “Smoky” Lisa and Brenda. Sincere appreciation to Harsh, Maggie, Avya and Harleen who honoured Kevin’s dignity and provided companionship at the most difficult stage of his illness.
Donations in Kevin’s memory can be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba or the University of Winnipeg.
A Celebration of Life is planned for the spring of 2026.
Obituaries
ALAN LEVY
On January 6, Alan Levy, age 71, died at Grace Hospital with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alan spent his childhood in the North End and later moved to River Heights, where his family settled on Brock Street.
After studying in Winnipeg and Tel Aviv, Alan moved to Toronto, where he lived for over 30 years. It was in Toronto where he raised a family with his first wife, Sylvia Bashevkin, worked in public sector human resources and fell in love with Chinese food.
In 2017, after brief stints as an academic in Regina and Brandon, Alan moved back home to the Peg, where he spent many fulfilling years with his devoted wife of 20 years, Cheryl Karlinsky, and their loving dogs. In his later career, he was appointed to the Labour Relations Board of Canada where he served as a skilled adjudicator and proud Canadian.
Alan was endlessly proud of his family, daughters Dalia Levy and Aviva Levy (Adam Walman) of Toronto, and two grandsons, Jonah and Ethan.
Predeceased by his parents Sheldon and Audrey Levy (nee Myers) of Winnipeg, Alan was a dedicated news junkie with a sharp sense of humour. He thrived most when discussing current events, cracking jokes and debating geopolitical crises. Much to his family’s frustration, he would stay up all night glued to the news, and they’d wake up to endless articles he’d shared the night before.
Alan had an exceptionally strong spirit of generosity and focus on ‘tikkun olam’ – repairing the world, which lives on in his children and grandchildren. His family is grateful to the staff at Simkin for providing him with a phenomenal level of care over the last few years, especially Dr. Chung and Sara Reid, Assistant Director of Care. Special thanks to Paul, Victor and Almaze, his kind and patient caregivers.
The funeral took place at Chesed Shel Emes on January 8.
Donations in his memory can be made to The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre https://www.simkincentre.ca.