Obituaries
MELVILLE NEUMAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Melville Neuman on April 26, 2022, at age 97.
Mel is survived by his three children, Debbie Bellan (Phil), Ralph Neuman (Miriam) Jody Adelman (David), bonus children, Debbie Shaen, Michael Shaen (Anita Mackey); his brother and sister-in- law, Hy and Lil Neuman, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerry and Phyllis Arron; seven grandchildren, Marnie Bellan Garrett (Brian), Jamey Bellan (Rachel), Lane Bellan (Kate), Cara Oppenheimer (Andrew), Lauren Epstein (David) Ruel Neuman and Jenna Neuman; bonus grandchildren, Jeff Walker (Caitlin), Andrew Walker, Emma Shaen, Rachel Shaen, Laura Shaen, great-grandchildren, Melayna, Drake, Wesley, Brooke, Blake, Vail, Teddy and Sidney.
Mel was predeceased by his parents, Moses and Minnie Neuman, sister Betty Whitley, wife Ruby Neuman and second wife Shirley Shaen Neuman.
Mel was born April 4 1925 in Govan, SK. At age two he moved to Regina spending most of his childhood and adolescence there. Mel was dedicated student throughout his life even skipping a grade at one point. After high school he ran his father’s General store for a year until he joined the Air Force to become a radio mechanic. Mel enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan, receiving his B.A. and LLB, where he posted the highest marks in his faculty. He was later recognized with a Gold Medal for those achievements.
Soon after he was introduced to his first love, Ruby Arron, he enlisted in the Army Reserve who provided him a scholarship to Harvard Law School to earn his Masters of Law. After completing his masters he returned to Canada and married Ruby in 1951. They lived in Regina, where he practiced law and became a proud father of three. The Neuman family moved to Winnipeg in 1963 when he became a partner at Newman Maclean. He had a distinguished career and in 1968 was appointed a Q.C.
Mel was a loving husband, father, and later grandfather and great-grandfather. His wife Ruby died after 37 years of marriage. Mel met his second wife Shirley Shaen in 1989. They were married for 17 happy years until her death.
Mel was extremely friendly and loved to talk to everyone and anyone he came in contact with. He had a wonderful sense of humour right to the very end. He was always positive and rarely complained. Mel loved to exercise, and spent five days a week at the Rady Centre. He loved to speed walk chasing after the nearest pretty young woman.
Mel retired from Taylor McCaffrey at age 83, had a second Bar Mitzvah and learned to enjoy retirement. In 2016 he moved to Victoria and lived at Somerset Retirement Home. After his decline from Dementia he spent his last year well taken care of at Selkirk Place. Even in his final years, he was always positive. When asked how he was feeling, he replied, “Excellent”. This endeared him to everyone.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Selkirk Place for the wonderful care given to Mel in his final days.
Funeral service was held graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Friday, April 29.
Donations in Mel’s memory can be made to Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.