Obituaries
MAX PRESSMAN
Jan. 2, 1924 – Dec.
20, 2014
On Dec. 20, 2014 at the Simkin Center, Max Pressman passed away at the age of 90.
He was predeceased by his wife , Molly, all six of his siblings and their spouses. Lovingly remembered by his children, Selma (Murray), Faye (Warren), and David (Marilyn), his grandchildren, Daniel and Greg, Hilary, Deborah (Michael) and Kayleigh. He also had two great-grandchildren, Hugo and Marcus. He will also be missed by his sister-in-law, Annette Albert and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dad was born in Winnipeg, the youngest of seven and lived his early years on Flora Ave. When he was ten years old the family moved to the farm in Grosse Isle, Manitoba. Dad finished high school in rural Manitoba and continued to farm, eventually moving into his sister and brother-in law’s home in the city and commuting daily.
He loved to sing and had a beautiful tenor voice. He started singing in various choirs, ultimately singing in the Rosh Pina Synagogue choir where he met our mom in 1953. By Dec. 27, 1953, they were married and started their family. Dad continued to make choir a priority and derived so much pleasure from it for over fifty years. He participated for many years in the Seniors Stay Young program and choir every Tuesday at the Rady Center.
He worked very hard to support his family through the tough times and then made a risky decision to buy a Sam The Record Man franchise and established the first store in Winnipeg at the Garden City Shopping Center which he ran with Mom followed by a second location at Unicity Shopping Center. This proved to be a successful endeavour.
He never had a bad word to say about anyone, a true Mensch! He was always surprised that everyone wasn’t as honest as he.
Devoted to Mom even more in the last difficult years of her life, he came daily to be with her once she entered the Simkin Center and then he joined her there in July 2011. They had an adjoining room and spent the rest of her days living together. Mom passed away Jan., 2013 and Dad became a frequent participant at all programs held at the Center. He continued to do this until he recently became too weak to attend .
The family would like to thank everyone who looked after his needs and loved him so much.
Funeral was held at Etz Chayim Synagogue with interment at Rosh Pina Cemetery officiated beautifully by Cantor Tracy Kasner Greaves. A thoughtful and loving eulogy was given by his granddaughter, Hilary Book. Pallbearers were David Pressman, Murray Gilfix, Greg Gilfix, Warren Book, David Shapera and Perry Gilfix.
Donations in his memory will be gratefully accepted at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Center, The Stay Young Program at the Rady JCC, or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
ALVIN M. ZIVOT August 3, 1941 – May 28, 2026
Alvin Murray Zivot, aged 94, died at home on May 28, 2026. He was a blessing in life for all of us who loved and admired him, and his memory will always be a blessing. Born in Winnipeg in 1931, he was too young to join the fight against fascism in Europe. He was a Jewish man willing to be counted and counted on.
Alvin dedicated his life to his loving family, close lifelong friends, and the community. He was an unceasingly devoted son to Jack and Lil, loving brother to Gerry and Bernice, loyal and loving husband to Ruby and then Libby, supportive, proud, and affectionate father to Paula and Gary, Eric and Jill, and Joel and Jennifer, and doting Zaida to Sam, Olivia, Solomon, Tovah, Eli, and Lilly. He is survived by his sister-in-law Zoe Piper and her husband Julian Piper.
Alvin enjoyed a long career as a skilled lawyer with an attention to detail and a sterling reputation. He wore his Queens Council recognition with honor. Alvin was more naturally a mediator and consensus builder than an adversary. He was the first chief justice of the Manitoba Landlord-Tenant tribunal. After many years of distinction, he pivoted to running elections for the Manitoba Metis Foundation.
In retirement, he shifted to philanthropy, big and small. He was a serious man who loved to laugh and delighted in those around him. He was the most loyal friend and showed up to provide support in the most difficult situations. He loved his wife Libby, who preceded him in death in 2009. For all who saw the way he looked at her and adored her, it would make anyone know that true love and marriage were real.
Space does not permit the mention of so many people whom he valued and who valued him. He will be buried next to his wife, Libby, and for all of us, we were blessed for the time we had with him. We will miss him for all the days of our lives.
Obituaries
PHYLLIS LEE DANA October 5, 1936 – May 17, 2026
Phyllis Lee Dana came into the world on October 5, 1936, and left it peacefully at home in her sleep on May 17, 2026. Predeceased by her parents Maurice “Lippy” Benson Lipson and Ida “Billie” Lipson née Cohen, she is survived by her husband of over 71 years, Nathan Dana, their children Karen (Harry Havey) and Marshall (Andrea Miller), grandchildren Jessee (Nathaniel) and Josh Havey, her younger brother Edward Lipson (Carol), nephews Michael (Ceren) and Daniel (Doree), beloved cousins, many lifelong friends, and the hundreds who fondly remember her as their kindergarten teacher, “Mrs. Dana”.
An exceptionally talented singer and performer from a young age, she gave up a scholarship to study opera at New York City’s Curtis Institute of Music to marry and start a family with her true love and best friend, Nate – a decision she never regretted for a moment. As expressive and animated off the stage as she was on it, Phyllis was a pillar in Winnipeg’s Jewish community, known for her nearly 30 years of teaching in the Jewish day school system, as a vocal soloist and synagogue choir member, and as an active member of several community organizations.
Phyllis offered a receptive warmth and curiosity to all she met, possessed a keen intellect and a sharp wit, was a gifted writer, poet, and storyteller, prolific baker, voracious reader, lover of butterflies, and made a mean brisket.
Despite being 89 years old, her passing was still unexpected by the remarkable family, community, and legacy she leaves behind, and she will forever be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Because you loved to write in rhyme / Your words so thoughtful and divine / Here’s some for you, straight from the heart / Now from us you’ve had to depart / We cannot thank you near enough / For what you were to all of us / For teaching us to love and sing / And all those children all those things / For how to best articulate / And speak the things most think (not say) / Your voice forever will live on / In stories, teachings, and in song / Your work is done, the time has come / For you to rest, our precious one / Your memory a blessing be, Love you forever,
Phyllis Lee!

