Harold Diamond passed away at the age of 90 on May 12, 2026 at the Simkin Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Harold was born in Winnipeg in 1935, and spent his childhood and teenage years in Fort William, Ontario. He was the son of Dr. J. Diamond and Nellie Diamond, and brother to Leatrice Cohen, Dr. Naomi Diamond, Gloria Nitzburg, and Selma Stein.

He attended the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During those years he joined the ZBT fraternity, eventually serving as President in 1957. Harold completed the science prerequisites required for dentistry and was accepted into the University of Manitoba Dental School. While studying dentistry, he joined the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and became its President in 1959.

In the spring of 1960, Harold received a research grant from the Federal Research Council to work under Dr. John Spouge, head of Oral Medicine at the University of Manitoba Dental College. Their groundbreaking research examined patients with rheumatic fever and identified links between dental procedures and recurrence of the disease. The work ultimately contributed to recommendations in both Canada and the United States for preventative antibiotic treatment prior to dental procedures for at-risk patients – protocols that went on to influence many other areas of medicine.

Dr. Harold Diamond graduated in 1963 and opened a successful dental practice in Windsor Park. and became a respected leader in dentistry. He served on the Winnipeg Dental Society Board and was President in 1975-76. He also joined the Manitoba Dental Association Board and later served as President. . As President of the MDA in 1980, Harold prepared an important submission to the federal government regarding the lack of dental services in rural Manitoba. His work demonstrated the challenges rural dental practices faced and helped shape discussions around dental care accessibility in the Province.

During Harold’s time at the University of Manitoba, he met the love of his life, Paula Roseman. Harold and Paula were engaged in the spring of 1958 and married on August 4th, 1960. Their daughter Maureen was born in 1964, followed by their son John in 1967.

Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, partnership, family, and adventure. Harold was deeply devoted to his family, and nothing in his life mattered more to him than the people he loved, especially Paula. He placed everyone else’s needs before his own and loved his family with his whole heart.

Harold was an exceptional student with a brilliant mind, a champion chess player, and a thirst for knowledge. His passions were politics and history and later in life became an accomplished bridge player. He loved music and had a smile that would light up the room.

A devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a cherished uncle, colleague, mentor, and friend. Harold was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

Over the years, Harold faced many health challenges and remained deeply grateful for the loyalty and support of his associates, his office manager Joselyn Badiou, Dr. A. Miller, and the cardiac care team at the Cleveland Clinic.

Harold is survived by his wife (Paula Diamond), his daughter Maureen Diamond (Andrew Marquess), his son John Diamond (Heather Diamond) and his grandchildren, Samantha, Daniel, Benjamin, Matthew, Alex and Jake.

Donations can be made to the Harold and Paula Diamond fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/

May 31, 1930 – May 13, 2026

Basia Bajla Fliegel passed away unexpectedly on May 13, 2026 at 95 years of age, just 18 days before her 96th birthday. She was born in Kalisz Poland, an only child. She remembers having fun, dancing and helping her parents. Life was happy and normal until 1939.

She, my grandmother and grandfather were on the run for about 3 months crossing in and out of Russia and Poland. During this time, her father was taken by the Germans to a work camp and never seen again. Basia froze her hands and feet badly during their final crossing into Russia, and she and her mother spent three months in hospital healing. Basia and her mother spent the rest of the war in work camps in Siberia and Uzbekistan. Conditions were harsh. They worked logging, picking cotton and fruit and Basia suffered from typhus, malaria and hunger. When the war ended they returned to Poland but there was nothing there for them. Polish people had occupied their apartment and with no documents and no rights they left.

They went to a displaced persons camp in Rosenheim, Germany. Basia’s mother remarried and set up a small kiosk selling beer and apples. Basia worked part time at the kiosk and learnt dress making at an ORT school. It was at the kiosk where she first met my father, Lazar, who liked the ‘apples’ in her rosy cheeks.

In 1948, Basia went to Haifa and lived with her Baba and Zaida. She worked in a dress shop on Herzl Street. One day while walking with friends, she bumped into Lazar and their relationship renewed. They were married on a rooftop on April 17, 1950. The heat did not agree with Lazar so along with my aunt they emigrated to Winnipeg. They arrived on a Friday and by Monday Basia was working piece work in a sewing factory. She worked until a week or so before her first child was born and then stayed at home taking care of her children.

But, Basia didn’t just cook and clean. When Lazar started a family business providing cabinetry and construction services for residential homes and commercial ventures my mother worked alongside him. She answered the phone, paid bills, did banking and made sure all the paperwork was in order. She ran errands for their business and also helped in the workshop, holding plywood and lending a hand with whatever was necessary. My parents considered themselves equal partners which was something Basia was very proud of.

And, Basia had a well-run household. Everything was organized and she was always prepared and on time. Basia valued good food and hospitality. She cooked wonderful meals, and always had cake and cookies for people dropping by. My mother’s closest friend stopped by every day after work to have coffee and cake. The two of them would visit, and simultaneously, mom would ensure dinner was ready. My grandmother dropped by daily and so did other friends as they knew they would be welcome. It was fun having a welcoming home and visiting with family friends.

My parents had a large circle of ‘greener’ or greenhorn friends, all of them immigrants escaping and recovering from the Shoah. They knew how to live. They worked hard and played hard. Every Saturday night there were card games at someone’s home. They served tons of food, and played poker and kaluki for money, until three or four in the morning. When it was New Year’s Eve, they dressed up in costumes, went to the synagogue dancing and celebrating until the wee hours. As teenagers their children never had curfews because the parents were always out later than them.

Basia sewed clothes for the family, knitted sweaters, hats and scarves for everyone. She loved doing big jigsaw puzzles with her children. Her hands were always busy. She loved music, particularly klezmer, and when tapes were still around had them in her car.

She was a caring and conscientious parent always making sure her children were well fed, safe, did their school work and lots of chores, had annual check-ups and a bed to sleep in. She was always there for us no matter how big or small our problems were. We knew we could call and she would help. She worked hard in her home, and in the family business. We always felt safe, loved and cared for.

Basia and Lazar started with absolutely nothing. Basia came here with virtually no education, no possessions and couldn’t speak the language. With hard work and incredible foresight, she and her husband accomplished their dreams of having a loving family and home. They always contributed to society and were never takers.

The last few years of Basia’s life were hampered by a progressing dementia and physical disability that slowly compromised her. But, her final few years didn’t define her life of success and achievement. She’ll be remembered for how much she accomplished and as the warm and devoted mother and wife she was.

Basia is survived by her children Miriam (Ron), Larry (Ann) grandchildren Sarah, Alex (Stefanie) and Danny and her great-grandchildren Mia, Jake, Ava and James and sister-in-law Bella.

We would like to express our thanks to Helma, Herminie and Marilyn from the WRHA for their kindness and caring toward Basia. We would also like to thank the pallbearers Barry, Bernie, Larry, Sarah, Alex and Ron.

Donations in Basia’s name can be made to the JNF, Alzheimer’s Society or charity of your choice.