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
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.