Obituaries
MORTON AARON SLUSKY
Our much-loved dad and zaida died suddenly on March 23, 2018, three months shy of his 94th birthday.
Mort was predeceased by his beloved wife Lee, his brother Irv and his partner Fay Glass. He leaves to mourn his children Maxa and Cliff Chisick and Jeffrey and Cindy Slusky; grandchildren Casey Chisick and Sophie Milman, Josh and Laura Chisick, Daniel and Baillie Chisick, Lee Slusky and Zachary Slusky; and great-grandchildren Lev, Jacob, Lyla, Talia, Maya and Asher Chisick.
Mort was born on June 27, 1924, the elder son of Rae and Max Slusky. He grew up in the North End, graduated from St. John’s Tech, and worked as a dining car waiter on passenger trains before enlisting in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War. He trained as a radio operator and was stationed at several locations in the Caribbean before the war’s end.
After his discharge, Mort attended the University of Manitoba Law School and was called to the bar in 1951. His brother Irv followed in 1953 and they practised law as Slusky & Slusky until Mort retired in 1999. As a lawyer, Mort was admired for his honesty, integrity, compassion, and dedication to his clients, some of whom continued to seek out his wise counsel long after his retirement.
Mort and Lee Rombom were married on December 25, 1949. They settled into the Grove Apartments on Main Street and began building their life together. Maxa was born in 1952, and Jeff in 1961, about the time they moved to their new home on Sweetwood Bay in then-mostly undeveloped Garden City. Worried about Maxa’s diminutive 10-year-old, 50-pound frame, Mort set about plumping her up with nightly Dairy Queen milkshakes after dinner. (Mission accomplished, Daddy; thanks.) Mort and Lee shared a traditional, loving marriage, rooted in their mutual devotion to their children and, in time, to their three eldest grandsons, Casey, Josh, and Daniel. Tragically, Lee passed away in 1989, at only 62, before grandsons Lee and Zach arrived to complete their family.
Late in his life, Mort was fortunate to meet Fay Glass, with whom he shared nearly a decade of happiness until her untimely death in 2007.
Mort was a devoted, loving zaida whose face lit up whenever his grandchildren were near. He delighted in regular family dinners and visits and that enjoyment grew even stronger when Casey, Josh, and Daniel married and provided him with three beautiful, talented granddaughters who loved and respected him. And just when he thought things couldn’t get any better, great-grandchildren started to appear about six years ago, recharging his batteries and putting an indelible smile on his face. The lives of his six great-grandchildren have been enriched permanently by time spent with their Zaida Mort.
Cursed with a lighting-fast swing and shaky putting stroke, Mort was nevertheless an enthusiastic golfer well into his ninth decade, and was rewarded with four holes-in one for his efforts. He served on Glendale Country Club’s board for several years. He passed his passion for golf (along with the shaky putting stroke) on to Jeff, for whom it remains an obsession.
Mort’s early life was steeped in Judaism and he remained invested in Jewish customs and traditions throughout his life. He was a longtime member of Rosh Pina Synagogue and served on its board of directors for many years.
Although reluctant at first, Mort grew to enjoy life at Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence, where he rekindled old friendships and formed many new ones. He was an active and eager participant in social programs and trivia competitions, where his razor-sharp recall kept him well-stocked in Kit-Kat bars.
Until the very last day of his life, Mort carried himself with great dignity, good humour, and a proud independence that will always be an inspiration to his family. As a family friend, struck by his gentlemanliness, memorably put it, he was “a man who wore his tuxedo on the inside.”
Mort’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Shaftesbury Park for treating him with the kindness and respect he deserved. We are also grateful to Dr. Terry Szajkowski for his extraordinary kindness, excellent care and reassuring availability.
A funeral service was held March 25 at Congregation Etz Chayim, officiated by Cantor Tracy Kasner Greaves. Pallbearers were Mort’s five grandsons and his nephew Alan Slusky.
He will be loved, missed
and remembered forever.
Donations may be made to Jewish Child and Family Services, Agape Table or any charity of choice.
Obituaries
KEVIN PAUL STEINBERG June 1, 1967 – October 29, 2025
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Kevin Steinberg (O’Neil) on October 29, 2025 at the age of 58 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be forever remembered by his mom Donna, sister Debbie (Marc), brother Jeff (Jocelyn), nieces and nephews, Josh (Dena), Zach, Samantha (Sean), Jaidyn, Jordyn, Jilliyn, Jayson and great-nephew Benny, his aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends across Winnipeg, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs and beyond. Kevin was predeceased by his dad Eddie and stepdad Ernest.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kevin moved to Toronto at 19 years of age. He attended Ryerson Theatre School and quickly earned his Equity and ACTRA cards. After winning the U.S. Green Card Lottery he moved to Los Angeles. Within a couple of years he appeared on Seinfeld, Frasier, Married with Children and more. He later worked behind the scenes in TV and film. Kevin also had a great job in catering and told fun stories of the famous people he worked for in L.A.
In 2006 Kevin returned home to Winnipeg, where he continued acting and design. He later moved back to Toronto to join a design firm. It was there he was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare head and neck cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Kevin lived fully – auditioning, writing and travelling. During COVID he launched a podcast – Everyday Heroes. He also shared cooking videos, learned to sketch and kept creating. Kevin thrived, inspiring everyone around him with his resilience, humour and zest for life. Kevin always lived “in the moment”, he embraced life as it came. He will be remembered for his creativity, humour, courage and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Hochman, CancerCare Manitoba, Lisa and the whole team at Palliative Care, Rabbi Matthew Leibl, Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and MAID.
Kevin requested that donations be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation www.accrf.org
Obituaries
Howard Lorne Tennenhouse March 7, 1956 – October 16, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Howard (Howie) Lorne Tennenhouse. He passed away on October 16, 2025, after a courageous ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Howie fought with every ounce of strength and determination he had.
Born on March 7, 1956, Howie earned his BA from the University of Winnipeg in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979. While attending the University of Manitoba, he met his devoted partner, Susan. After dating for five years they were married on November 14, 1982. Susan and Howie supported one another throughout their life together, and she stood by his side with unwavering devotion until the very end.
Howie was the proud father of three daughters and sons-in-law, Lauren (Jesse), Ellie (Evan), and Shira (Gideon) and the adoring Zaida How, to Jack, Joey, Charlotte (Charlie), and Brandon (Bran). He is also survived by his two sisters, Judy Mahon (and her family) and Penny Tennenhouse (Bill). Howie’s family was his greatest joy and the center of his world, and to his family he was a fierce protector and the most enthusiastic supporter.
Outside of his love for family, Howie’s heart belonged in Israel. He took immense pride in seeing the love of Israel and Jewish traditions passed down from his parents to his children and grandchildren.
Howie’s funeral was held on Sunday , October 19, 2025 at the Etz Chayim Synagogue with burial at the Rosh Pina Cemetery. Thank you to Rabbi Kliel Rose and to the pallbearers Morley Hoffman, Alden Hoffman, Joey Pollock, Harvey Oman, Evan Reinblatt, and Jesse Marantz. A big thank you to the doctors at Cancer Care Manitoba who worked tirelessly to care for Howie, and the incredible team at the Riverview Palliative Ward. A special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Qamar for her devotion to Howie. Your care and kindness meant the world to the entire family.
Donations in Howie’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or to Riverview Palliative Care Ward 3E.
Howie was a passionate, loving, and larger-than-life presence. He will always be missed and never forgotten.
Obituaries
HARRY KREEL April 9, 1927 – October 20, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Harry Kreel announces his passing on October 20, 2025 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Rebecca Kreel; his brothers, Isadore and Boris Kreel; and his beloved wife Myrna, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Eileen; his son Darrell (Nicole); and his grandson Benjamin Kreel.
Harry was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in his early 20s. He spent his career in education. He was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division, Principal of R.B. Russell Vocational School and he also taught in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Our parents loved to travel, and throughout their lives they travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Upon his retirement, he and our mother were able to spend many wonderful winters in Palm Springs, as well as many visits to New York to visit family. The highlight for them was their trip to Israel, which was something they had always wanted to do, and they did.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Rabbi Carney Rose for officiating and for delivering a most beautiful and heartfelt service.
To the pallbearers, you know who you are, and we would like to thank you for being there for our father. We would also, at this time, like to thank the wonderful staff of Weinberg I at the Simkin Centre. You treated our father with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity and compassion, and for that we will be forever grateful. And last but certainly not least, to Sheryl, Tia, and Victoria Levine, to Leslie Stokoloff and Joe Lacey, we will be forever grateful for all your love and support during this most difficult time.
Should anyone so desire, donations may be made in our father’s memory to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or CancerCare Manitoba.