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
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.