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
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).