Obituaries
MONTE NATHANSON February 24, 1931 – June 15, 2024
We are heartbroken by our father’s death. Monte is survived by June, his wife of nearly 70 years; his kids, Sherryl, Gail (Warren), and Janice (Joel); his grandchildren, Ashley, Julie, Amy (Zach), Lindsay (Mathew), Jonathan and Kate; and his great-grandchildren, Mia, Hannah, Benji, Jake and Noah. Nothing made him happier than the entrance of the latest baby.
Monte was born to Ida and Max Nathanson in the North End of Winnipeg. He arrived on the scene late, 12 years after his brother Sidney and nine years after Cecil. Their house on O’Meara St. was a centre of cultural life where Yiddish writers, artists, actors and thinkers from everywhere gathered, talked, performed and ate (of course).
Monte’s young life was much a lot like other kids in the neighborhood: Peretz school, then St. John’s Tech, then the University of Manitoba. But our dad’s kindness stood out even as a young boy. Cecil was deaf and back then there was no technology. So, every week, Monte took his brother to the movies and signed the dialogue for him. He stayed by Cecil’s side the rest of his life.
Our parents got engaged in 1954, six weeks after they met. They married the same year. Monte was working in his father’s mattress company when, one day, he saw a plot of land. He borrowed the money, bought the land, and his life’s work began. He was a business force. He loved building buildings. He was everywhere: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto.
But more important to him was his community. Max was the first chair of the UJA campaign, and at age 28, Monte was its youngest. He went on to become the president of the Winnipeg Jewish Community, a governor of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and a stalwart supporter of Jewish education and Israel. When his father died, our dad built a kindergarten in his honour in Carmiel. It’s still there, serving kids from tough backgrounds. He took all of us to visit not that long ago.
And then there was the golf. What a player. A four handicap. That’s not easy in Winnipeg, given our winters. He would not be derailed. As he was a teenager, he built a putting green on his front lawn. He had his golf gang at Glendale they called the mafia. He played the world’s great golf courses, including Augusta. The last time we saw him, as we stood at his bedside, he was wearing his Master’s golf shirt. So perfect.
Above all, it was family first. Our mom was the centre of his life. Their unfaltering bond lasted nearly 70 years. Together, they built homes, travelled the world, and had amazing adventures. They had huge circles of friends. But it was really all about the kids. Nothing was as important to our parents than us. Our happiest moments were summers at West Hawk, road trips to Grand Forks (yup), winter vacations. As long as we were together, we were good.
When we talk about our dad though, we remember not what he did, but who he was. Everyone seems to describe him the same way: Elegant, dignified, larger than life. So many people have reached out to talk about his kindness and his graciousness. He made people feel special. When he walked into a room, you just knew everything would be okay.
Our father made our lives great. Because he was great. Right now, it’s hard to imagine our world without him.
Funeral services are being held on June 18, 2024, in Boca Raton, Florida. Shiva is in Toronto. Donations may be made to United Hatzalah Canada at https://www.uhcanada.org/. Click the donate button for a dedicated memorial page to Monte Nathanson.
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.