Obituaries
MAX LABOVITCH
It is with great sadness, the family of Max Labovitch mourn his passing on Sunday, January 14th, 2018, at the St Boniface Hospital, four days before his 94th birthday.
Max was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Loretta (Gold). He is survived by children, Valerie Lowenstein (Arnie) of Boston and Harriet Breslauer (Richard) of Calgary as well as grandchildren Jeremy, Daniel, Steven (Alyssa) and Kelly. He is also survived by his brother Irvin.
Max was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1924, son of Joseph and Goldie both of whom immigrated to Canada from Romania. He was one of six siblings including four brothers and two sisters. He attended the Peretz School and Isaac Newton high school in Winnipeg. Max began skating and playing hockey at the age of seven, a passion that would be with him his whole life. Max played Bantam A, Bantam B and Midget hockey with the Excelsiors before playing Juvenile hockey with the Winnipeg Rangers. In 1941, at the age of 17, Max began his professional hockey career with the New Haven Eagles of the American Hockey League before joining the New York Rangers in 1943. Max became the first Jewish Canadian-born player in the NHL.
Max played professional hockey until 1954 for the New York Rovers, the Los Angeles Ramblers and the Toledo Mercurys of the IHL, where he was captain and won the MVP. Max continued to play hockey for many years with the Manitoba old timers. His love for hockey continued till very late in life, including in-line skating until the age of 83.
Max’s athletic skills were not limited to hockey. He was an avid golfer and was the club champion at the Bakersfield Country Club in California, as well as years later at the Bel Acres Country Club in Winnipeg. He was also active in soccer, baseball and swimming as a youth.
In 1954 Max met the love of his life, Loretta Gold, at the Olympic skating rink and they were married a few months later. Max and Loretta were married for 55 years. They enjoyed dancing, playing golf and, later in life, spending winters in Las Vegas. He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters and would travel to California often to see them. He also took great pride in the accomplishments of his four grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them in Calgary and Boston.
Following his hockey career, Max became the sales manager with Chilton Automotive for Western Canada. He worked with Chilton for over 40 years.
Max was an extrovert. He loved to get together with his friends for breakfast at the Salisbury House and later at the Burger King to discuss the news of the day, politics and sports. He had a very strong will, independent mind and seemed always to be at the center of the discussion. Max was very proud to be Jewish, taking pride in his heritage and ensuring that his daughters had a strong Jewish education. He was most passionate about Israel and had an insatiable interest in listening to the latest news about Israel and the region.
Max was an active member of the YMHA, Brandeis Club and B’nai B’rith for many years. This past year, he was honoured by the Rady Jewish Community Center for his achievements in hockey and sports.
Strength was the characteristic that most defined Max. He had strength of mind, body, spirit and will that was evident to all who knew him. He leaves behind a loving and devoted family who take strength from the lessons and memories of their time with Max that surely will help propel them to the next chapters of their lives.
The funeral took place at the Etz Chayim Synagogue in Winnipeg on January 16th, with burial at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. Pallbearers included grandsons Jeremy and Daniel Lowenstein, Steven Breslauer, sons-in-law Arnie Lowenstein and Richard Breslauer, and Lanny Jacob. Honorary pallbearers included brother Irvin Labovitch, Al Greenberg, Billy Brownstone, Manley Rusen, Frank Lavitt, Jack Nepon, Wayne Hadad, and Kroft Henrick. Max was pre-deceased by his wife Loretta, brothers Lou and Jack and sisters Rebecca and Ethel.
Many thanks to his care givers from Medox and in particular Joanne, Sid, Tom, Ed and Victor. Thank you to Dr. John Rabson, Dr. Jasmir Nayak and Dr. Piotr Czaykowski. A special thank you to Sandy Slonosly and to his good friend Lydia for their caring and concern.
Donations can be made to the to the Max Labovitch Scholarship Fund at the Rady Jewish Community Center in Winnipeg . The address is 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3N2B3 (204-477-7510).
Obituaries
DAVID BLOOMFIELD
Sadly, David Bloomfield passed peacefully on December 19, 2024, age 79.
David was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Phillip Bloomfield, and older brothers, Joel and Auby. David will be deeply missed and mourned by his wife, Sheila, of 56 years, the love of his life, his children, Brenlee (Michael) and Evan (Ellen), as well as cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Lainee, and Lauren. David shared close relationships with his younger sisters, Naomi and Judi, and with their husbands, Shmuel and Larry, and with his sister-in-law, Linda. David also enjoyed meaningful relationships with each of his nieces and nephews.
David was born on January 20, 1945, and grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. He enjoyed many summers at his grandmother’s cottage in Winnipeg Beach, the place he first met Sheila. His love of the outdoors and beach life continued throughout his life.
David was proud of the varied jobs he held and businesses he created across his life. He opted for early retirement from Air Canada choosing to become an independent business owner, purchasing, developing, and operating three Subway restaurants. In later years he bought and sold RV trailers and was always the consummate deal maker.
Throughout his life, David was very involved in his community. He was a very active member of multiple synagogue boards and committees across several decades, later became an active member of his condo board, and ultimately continued to share his opinions and ideas as a resident of both the Courtyards and the Simkin Centre.
David enjoyed his down time and valued his relationships with family and friends. He loved simple things, like Sunday drives with Sheila. He relished weekly lunch and regular casino dates with Auby and enjoyed travelling with Sheila and his siblings and their spouses. David and Sheila enjoyed many holiday meals at Brenlee and Michael’s home over the years and made wonderful memories at Evan and Ellen’s Loni Beach cottage. Early retirement allowed David significant opportunity for travel, especially on cruises with Sheila, in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. David owned various travel trailers over 30 plus years and enjoyed winters RVing in Texas and local “Good Sam Club” campground meet ups. He introduced his children to RVing in the 1980s, and later shared his love for RVing with his grandchildren.
Huge thanks to David’s sister Judi Fielding, and brother-in-law, Larry Fielding, who provided David significant support, and significantly improved his quality of life in the final few years. Thank you to staff of Simkin Centre who provided excellent care of David during his final year. For those who choose, donations can be made to the Simkin Centre or Jewish Child and Family Services. Further details: e_bloomfield@yahoo.ca
Obituaries
ANNETTE FREDA MINUK (NEE MASSIE) June 25, 1924 – December 21, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother who left us peacefully on December 21, 2024 at the age of 100. She was laid to rest beside her late husband Harry at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbears attending were Kevin Minuk, Blake Minuk, Hayley Trenholm, Doug West, Simmie Globerman and Keith Levit.
Annette is survived by her children, Arlene West (Doug), Sheldon (Shoshana), Jeffrey (Harriet); grandchildren Kimberley (Chris) Kevin (Simmie), Blake (Chelsea), Hayley (Chris) and Harel; her great grandchildren Kyler, Krewyn, Charlotte, Annie, Lachlan and sister in law Yetta Levit. She was predeceased by her husband Harry, her parents Rebecca and Dalton, her brother Jack Massie, brothers and sisters in law, Max and Clara Zamick, Norman and Molly Lachter, Norman and Goldie Minuk, Evie and Jack Rosenbaum and Jack Levit.
Annette was truly one of a kind. She was a warm and loving person whose kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to her family always putting their needs ahead of hers. She was always there for all the kids and grandkids activities over the years. She was present at countless milestones and activities, celebrating every achievement with unwavering pride and joy. Her wisdom and compassion were a guiding light, and she had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel special, valued and deeply loved. She will be remembered for her generous heart, infectious smile and the countless memories that will forever live in our hearts.
Mom will be missed each and everyday, but now she is with our Dad where she wanted to be.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate her remarkable life and the enduring legacy of love she leaves behind. Her spirit will continue to inspire us, and she will always be cherished and missed.
Obituaries
LOUIS ELFENBAUM March 12, 1936 – December 9, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Louis Elfenbaum. Louis was a popular Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento. He taught for 38 years and then retired and moved to San Diego, California, with his wife, Elizabeth.
Born in rural Lipton, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 1936, Louis was the youngest of six children of Abraham and Dora Elfenbaum. With his siblings, Louis braved the harsh Canadian climate to maintain the family farm.
At age 14, Louis moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived with his sister and attended St. John’s High School. In high school, Louis was extremely popular, an excellent student, an accomplished athlete, and was voted school president.
After high school, Louis studied at Manitoba Teachers’ College and began his teaching career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State College in Minnesota, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota. He earned his Doctorate in Kinesiology from Ohio State University in 1966. His early professorships were at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) and prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In 1970, Louis accepted a full professorship at California State University, Sacramento where he taught Kinesiology for close to four decades. During his tenure as a professor, Louis pursued his interest in law, earning his J.D. degree from Lincoln Law School in 1982.
Louis cared deeply about his students, offering a special lecture about life that attracted students not only from his department, but also from the entire university. He valued intellectual curiosity and fostered that spirit in his students as well as his four children, who have all pursued higher education earning advanced degrees.
Louis had a magnetic personality. He was kind, patient, generous, caring, honest and selfless. Those attributes had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met. He was adored by his family including his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who greatly valued his wisdom, his guidance and his unconditional love.
Louis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lefcort, (pre-deceased by his ex-wife Esther—d. 2018–and mother of) his four children, Adrian Elfenbaum (JoAnne Winter), Ian Elfenbaum (Susan Adler), Marcia Elfenbaum, Pamela Elfenbaum (David Klein), 2 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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