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
JO ANN GREISMAN Yocheved Yael March 19, 1947 – August 27, 2024
I died today, August 27, 2024.
Viewed as a whole my life was quite ordinary, and yet I was blessed. I was born, educated, did a variety of things – some successful, some not so, some crazy, some tedious; travelled some, worked lots; married; embraced Reform Judaism; had children; divorced; faced my own mortality, continued to learn and to strive to make my life a blessing.
Born Jo Ann Van Buren to Bluebell Charlesworth and Joseph Van Buren, I was the last of six children (Hugh, Carl, George, Beryl and Brian). Memories of my childhood, first in Norwood and in Fort Garry remain vivid. Van Buren’s Snack Bar/Restaurant was the backdrop of my early life, and there, under my mother’s tutelage, I learned: to work; to value every human being; to develop an open mind; to vote, as it is a responsibility and a privilege; to take enjoyment from simple things; to love; to revel in the miracle of life.
The business and joy of life and love is now left to my children, Amanda (Blair), Jennie (Shabi), and David; my granddaughters, Naomi, Ofri, Ma’ayan, Amelia, and Kenna; as well my long time chaver in life and business, Len Greisman; and friends who inspired and lifted me up along the way …. David T, David V, Kenny, Linda, Lisa, Michele, Sandy and so many others.
I don’t believe in a traditional god, yet I write….
May El Shaddai, the god who is enough, grant you peace. Amen
Service at Temple Shalom October 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
By the time you read this, I will have walked through the gateway of the grave, perhaps to a chance at another life, or wandering the Kotel at 2:00 in the morning, or exploring the astounding Korea. All unlikely scenarios, but for certain I will have returned to The One.
Thank you all!
Toda raba (Hebrew)
Gam-sa-ham-ni-da (Korean)
Life goes on! Grab it wholeheartedly.
Obituaries
SIDNEY BURSTEN
For Sidney Bursten, 83, the adventure that was his life ended suddenly when he died, Friday, August 9, 2024. It is perhaps noteworthy that Sid died in the same city he was born in, Winnipeg, because the odds might have been against it. It is only one of many cities Sid had lived in during his several careers, beginning with Red Deer, Alberta before he married. Then there were the cities he and his wife, Brenda Barrie Bursten, who survives him, lived in together, a life they both saw as an adventure. They began in Calgary, Alberta, then Edmonton, moved briefly to Indianapolis, Indiana; then spent a decade in Madison, Wisconsin; returned to Winnipeg for a decade long stay, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota; Orange County, California; Baltimore, Maryland; returned to Orange County once again, and finally to Winnipeg (a final trip Brenda and Sid described as being ‘kid’napped by their kids, and ‘a darn good thing’).
Sid began his career as a journalist in Winnipeg with Rupert Shrier and continued with a brief stay at The Jewish Post and News but he could see computers were the coming thing so he took The Downtowner, a newspaper he created, into computer typesetting. In Madison, Wisconsin he made himself familiar with the earliest of computing, with punch cards. Later he taught himself early computer programming languages, which eventually led him to high level work in the American healthcare industry and a job with IBM.
In addition to his wife Brenda Barrie Bursten, Sid is survived by two daughters Renata Bursten and Aviva Cohen (Joseph) and nine grandchildren: Simon Bursten, Maks and Ben Doerksen, Aliza Hornstein (Amichai), Elli, Arie, Shuli, Yaakov and Ezra Cohen and seven great grandchildren, all resident in Israel: Mia, Ori, Asher, Akiva and Laya Hornstein and Roni and Lia Bursten. He is further survived by his sister Roberta Bursten (Darren) and nephews Mark Eberstein (Margot and grand niece Miley) Scott Eberstein, and Michael and Matthew Bursten. His parents Shelagh and Morris Bursten and brother Leslie Bursten, all of California, predeceased him.
Sid ended his days as a resident in the Simkin Centre and his family in Winnipeg would like to thank the staff of the Centre for making the last year and a half of his life so pleasant and comfortable, despite the difficulties of Parkinsons. Sid enjoyed the care he received, the food, the activities, the music. In fact for him Simkin was like Cheers – “everyone knew his name.” Sid’s family would also like the Centre to know they could not have asked for better. Right from the beginning he was open to the idea. When he was told he was going to go to Simkin he said, “that sounds like a good idea.” And it was.
Obituaries
MORLEY SLONIM, DDS March 30, 1931 – July 7, 2024
Peacefully on July 7, 2024, at the age of 93.
He will be forever missed by his wife of almost 66 years, Lil. Loving father and father-in-law to Shari (Jeff Shulman) and Marni (Gavin Rich). Adored Zaida Moe to his grandchildren, Dylan, Cory, Samantha (Jake), Seth, Justin (Katie), Jordan, Jamie, Jadon, Asher, and Lily. Devoted uncle, great-uncle, great-great-uncle and great-great-great uncle to his nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his parents, Henry and Anne, and brothers, Sidney and Aubrey.
Born in Winnipeg’s North End in 1931, Morley attended Peretz School, Machray and St. John’s Tech. After attending the University of Manitoba for his undergraduate degree, he spent four years in Toronto, graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry in 1958. He practiced for many years in Fort Garry and retired in 1992. He was able to enjoy more than 30 years of retirement, working out religiously and spending invaluable time with friends and family.
A man of many interests, he prided himself on being able to fix everything he could, cared for his yard and garden, had a keen interest in sports and was a loyal fan of the Winnipeg Jets for many years. He also followed politics and world events, was fascinated by the construction of buildings and loved music.
He was known for his quick wit and sense of humour and tried not to miss an opportunity to make a joke or pun or pull a prank.
The funeral was held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on July 10, 2024. The family wishes to thank the pallbearers, Abe Borzykowski, Justin Gertenstein, Dylan Huber, Jordan Gertenstein, Jeff Shulman and Gavin Rich as well as the honorary pallbearers, Bryan Borzykowski, David Borzykowski and Josh Chisick.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Hayward and Dr. Vidal for their dedicated care over the years.
Donations can be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Morley and Lil Slonim Fund at
www.jewishfoundation.org or 204-477-7520
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