Obituaries
MISCHA POLLOCK
September 15, 1924-January 9, 2019
It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mischa Pollock, beloved husband, father and grandfather, on January 9, 2019, at the age of 94.
Mischa is survived by his loving wife, Lynn; children, Dr. Debbie Pollock, Dr. Neil Pollock (Michelle); grandchildren, Benny Pollock- Kreel, Joshua, Elliot and Shoshana Pollock.
He is also survived by his brothers, Gordon and Harvey Pollock, sister, Cecile Kowall; brother-in –law, Monte Kowall, sister- –in-law, Beverly Bell; and many nieces and nephews.
Mischa was predeceased by his parents Sam and Sluva Pollock and sister, Myra Kravetsy; in-laws, Rose and Phillip Bell; brothers- in-law, Abe, Saul and Benny Bell, Chaim Kravetsy, sisters- in- law, Sylvia and Margaret Bell, Sylvia and Mimi Pollock.
Mischa had a good soul, a “gitte neshama” that will be everlasting. His life was filled with good deeds. Mischa was a moral, good and decent person, a true “mensch”. He was a sincere and humble man.
Mischa was a loving and devoted family man. He was a generous and kind person who did everything for his family. He was the happiest when he was with his wife, children and grandchildren. They were the love of his life. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments and received so much Nachas.
Mischa immigrated to Canada in 1927 from Uman, Russia along with his parents Sam and Sluva Pollock and sister Myra. He spent his youth growing up in Bethany, Manitoba and later moved to Winnipeg where he attended St. John’s High School. He continued his post secondary education at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Mischa was a brilliant student. He was also a prolific poet. Mischa had a passion for reading, writing and reciting poetry. He enjoyed the serenity of nature and listening to Classical and Jewish music.
On October 2nd, 1960, Mischa married his soul mate, Lynn Bell. They shared fifty-eight years of marriage together, filled with happiness and many joyous celebrations.
Mischa was a very well respected, dedicated, and
successful businessman who owned and operated the Department store, Mischa Pollock Clothiers, well known throughout the Winnipeg Community.
As a result of Mischa’s determination, hard work and keen business sense, he was able to retire at a very young age. He continued to remain productive and active throughout his life.
In his retirement, he became inseparable from his devoted, dear and loving wife Lynn. They enjoyed travelling together, visiting their children and grandchildren in Vancouver and going to Palm Springs.
Lynn’s total dedication to Mischa was evident in how she took such loving care of him throughout his life and especially over the last two years when his health failed, wanting to keep him at home with her for as long as she possibly could, even to the detriment of her own health.
Mischa and Lynn’s individual strengths and attributes complimented each other and provided the family with a solid home environment in which to grow up, filled with abundant love and wonderful memories.
Mischa and Lynn spent three enjoyable years together at the Shaftesbury Retirement Residence where they met many new friends. Mischa spent the last year of his life at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre. Our family would like to thank Mischa’s private caregivers, Meseret and Margarita for their kind, compassionate care. They became like part of our family.
Mischa was eternally grateful to his loving daughter, Debbie who balanced being a daughter, doctor and staunch advocate for him over the years navigating the health care system. Debbie ensured that Mischa received the best possible medical care during his many hospital admissions, consults and treatments. She was always by his side.
Thank you to Mischa’s long time cardiologist, Dr. John Rabson, for giving Mischa such excellent medical care.
Heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Yosef Benarroch for visiting Mischa and for providing comfort and support to the family during Mischa’s final days and immediately upon his passing at the Simkin Centre. Thank you to Rabbi Emeritus, Alan Green, Rabbi Anibal Mass and Bill Weissmann for visiting Mischa in the hospital and for their beautiful prayers.
Funeral services, officiated by Rabbi Mass, were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with interment at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on January 11th, 2019. Pallbearers were Dr. Neil Pollock, Dr. Jeffrey Bell, Joshua and Elliot Pollock, Benny Pollock-Kreel, and Ethan Pollock. Honorary pallbearer was Shoshana Pollock.
Donations may be made to the Lynn and Mischa Pollock Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.
Mischa will be deeply missed. His inspiration and actions will live on eternally through his children and grandchildren.
May his memory be a blessing.
Zichrono-Livracha.
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login