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
LOUIS ELFENBAUM March 12, 1936 – December 9, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Louis Elfenbaum. Louis was a popular Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento. He taught for 38 years and then retired and moved to San Diego, California, with his wife, Elizabeth.
Born in rural Lipton, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 1936, Louis was the youngest of six children of Abraham and Dora Elfenbaum. With his siblings, Louis braved the harsh Canadian climate to maintain the family farm.
At age 14, Louis moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived with his sister and attended St. John’s High School. In high school, Louis was extremely popular, an excellent student, an accomplished athlete, and was voted school president.
After high school, Louis studied at Manitoba Teachers’ College and began his teaching career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State College in Minnesota, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota. He earned his Doctorate in Kinesiology from Ohio State University in 1966. His early professorships were at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) and prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In 1970, Louis accepted a full professorship at California State University, Sacramento where he taught Kinesiology for close to four decades. During his tenure as a professor, Louis pursued his interest in law, earning his J.D. degree from Lincoln Law School in 1982.
Louis cared deeply about his students, offering a special lecture about life that attracted students not only from his department, but also from the entire university. He valued intellectual curiosity and fostered that spirit in his students as well as his four children, who have all pursued higher education earning advanced degrees.
Louis had a magnetic personality. He was kind, patient, generous, caring, honest and selfless. Those attributes had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met. He was adored by his family including his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who greatly valued his wisdom, his guidance and his unconditional love.
Louis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lefcort, (pre-deceased by his ex-wife Esther—d. 2018–and mother of) his four children, Adrian Elfenbaum (JoAnne Winter), Ian Elfenbaum (Susan Adler), Marcia Elfenbaum, Pamela Elfenbaum (David Klein), 2 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Obituaries
GARY MELTZER January 28, 1953 – July 31, 2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Gary Martin Meltzer on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Grace Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born on January 28, 1953, in Beausejour, Manitoba,
Gary was the cherished son of Arnie and Helen Meltzer (née Shore).
Gary was predeceased by his devoted parents, Arnie and Helen Meltzer, and his brother, Allan Meltzer. He is survived by his nephew Jonathan Meltzer (Sean), niece Megan Meltzer, his great-niece Gabby Meltzer and his great-nephews, Jerrod Meltzer and Benji Carroll. Gary will be deeply missed by his many cousins. He shared a particularly close relationship with his cousin Jennifer Curtis-Lane. Jennifer’s steadfast presence by Gary’s side in his final days was a testament to their deep connection. Gary’s love extended to Jennifer’s husband Deon and their three daughters, Sophie, Abby, and Emily.
Gary’s early years were spent in Beausejour Manitoba, where his father Arnie and Uncle Sid started their business. Those days were filledwith the warmth and joy of a large extended family. In 1964, the Meltzer family moved to Winnipeg, settling on Hartford Avenue in West Kildonan, where Gary attended West Kildonan Collegiate before earning his CPA degree from the University of Manitoba.
A naturally private person, Gary was happiest when surrounded by family and talking about politics, sports or current events. His fondest memories were of summers spent at Winnipeg Beach with his Margulius and Shore cousins. As he grew older, Gary became more reserved, quietly excelling in a wide range of skills. Whether fixing cars, repairing things around the house, or building intricate model airplanes and cars, Gary’s talents were many, yet he never sought attention for them.
Gary’s aptitude for numbers and building, found a perfect outlet in his career as a CPA and bookkeeper for companies specializing in window manufacturing and installation. His professional career eventually took him from the back office to the factory floor where his last few years were spent building windows andother items that used to fill his spreadsheets. His professional skills were matched by a deep love for hockey. As a devoted Winnipeg Jets 1.0 season ticket holder, Gary was known for his passionate “coaching” from his favourite chair during away games.
Gary was a man of habit and tradition. He frequented the Salisbury House at Main Street and Matheson for coffee and the Green Briar Inn for beers with friends. His vanity license plate, “GO AWAY,” became infamous in the family, a quirky symbol of his unique personality.
One of Gary’s lesser-known talents was baking. He took pride in mastering his mother’s cherished recipes, often sharing his creations with Jennifer and her daughters, who were his willing taste-testers.
Gary’s big heart was often hidden beneath a quiet demeanour, but his family always knew they could count on him. Whether helping with a move, installing appliances, or giving advice on home improvements, Gary was always there.
After his father Arnie fell ill, Gary remained at home to help his mother. He continued to help Helen adjust to life without Arnie, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to family.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff on the 3rd floor of the Grace Hospital for their compassionate care during Gary’s final weeks, with special gratitude to Nurse Tyler for his empathy and kindness.
A special thank you to Tracey Kasner for conducting Gary’s funeral and capturing his essence. Funeral service was held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery.
Pallbearers included Jonathan Meltzer, Megan Meltzer, Jennifer Lane, Jeffrey Curtis, Rick Shore, and Leon Pincovich.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg or Cancer- Care Manitoba.
Gary will be remembered for his quiet strength, his selflessness, and the love he had for his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Obituaries
JERRY MOSCOVITCH
Jerry Moscovitch, husband to Gloria and father to Susan and Dan passed away at the Simkin Centre January 2, 2025.
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