Max passed away on September 6, 2019 at the age of 93 in Toronto, Ontario. Max grew up with his family in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Eventually, he moved to Winnipeg to become a pharmacist, a career which spanned over 50 years.
He built and operated Seven Oaks Pharmacy, the first drugstore in West Kildonan. Max went on to run the Astra Dispensary and manage the Kobrinsky Clinic. While his day job was a pharmacist, Max always had a business on the side, from owning hair salons, importing wigs and dental supplies from Japan, to manufacturing medicine and inventing a medical diagnostic test for detecting urinary tract infections. Max went on to win a Canadian Innovation award for this work.
Max later moved his business to Toronto, where he was introduced to Natalie and was welcomed into a whole new wonderful family. As if he hadn’t had enough careers already, Max decided to transition into a career in real estate to work along side Natalie. He thoroughly enjoyed this business adventure until his retirement in his late 80’s.
Max lived life to the fullest, and enjoyed travelling the world, reaching every continent, including Antarctica. He had a passion for scuba diving (which he passed on to Allison) and spent many of his vacations exploring the natural wonders of the sea, eventually earning his Diving Instructor Certification.
Max was incredibly driven and extremely generous to his family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cared for his loved ones deeply and unconditionally.
Max will be greatly missed by his wife Natalie, son Lawrence (Tam), daughter Rosalind, Bernice Marmel, sister Bonnie Tregebov, stepchildren Dr. Larry Barzelai (Dr. Rhona Gordon), Dr. Rick Black (Wendy), Cindy Black-Goldstein (Richard),grandchildren Shane Marmel, Dr. Allison Marmel (Dr. Yale Michaels), step-grandchildren Dr. Morry Black (Alisa Belshaw) Ari Black (Shoshana), Joshua Black, Melissa Silverberg (Michael), Jake Goldstein, Laura Barzelai (Sean Caners), Nadav Barzelai, (Naomi Kassel), Avi Barezelai, Dr. Ira Barzelai, step-great grandchildren Alex, Leah, Aerin, Halle, Ethan, Matthew, Dan, Avigail, and close friend Clara. Max was predeceased by his parents Sam and Seema Marmel.
Services were held on September 8, at the Etz Chayim Synagogue in Winnipeg. Pallbearers were Lawrence Marmel, Shane Marmel, Dr. Rick Black, Morry Black, Ari Black and Joshua Black.
Donations can be made to the Max Marmel Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. (204) 477-7525.
