Obituaries
NORMAN GOREN
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Norman Goren on March 5th, 2021, at the age of 93.
Norman Goren was predeceased by his devoted wife Tillie Goren, his parents, Max and Fanny Goren, his five brothers and sisters, Ted Goren, Al Goren, Rebecca Hollander, Goldie Skidmore and Abe Goren. He is survived by his sons Monty Goren, Steve Goren (Donna Chudnow), Brent (Julie) Goren: grandchildren Rachel, Dayna, Jennifer and Cierra Goren; brothers and sister in law, Joe Elfenbaum, Sylvia Segal and Louis Elfenbaum.
Norman was a wonderful man, loved and admired for his kindness, generosity, and humility by everyone who knew him. Norman was truly one of a kind and there are very few people who were as nice and genuine as he was. The world was a better place with him and there is now a void in the world without him.
He was born in 1927 in a small homestead community around Estevan, Saskatchewan. Around the age of 23 years old, he was introduced to a young beautiful woman, Tillie Elfenbaum from Lipton, Saskatchewan. She thought he looked like Paul Newman and it was love at first sight. They were married on a rainy day in Saskatchewan on July 30th, 1950. Throughout their marriage, they were inseparable.
Norm was a creative, inventive and resourceful man, using these skills and talents to enhance all aspects of his business and family life. He was a proud entrepreneur, owning shoe stores in St. James, East Kildonan and St. Vital. Eventually, he concentrated on “Shoe Fair” in St. Vital and it became the go-to place for family fittings. He was honoured and humbled that people would come to see him from across the city because he fitted them with personalized care that kept multi-generations of families coming back year after year. Shoe Fair, St. Vital was an institution in the community until he retired from the shoe business in the 80’s.
Norm was an avid reader, reading almost all hours of the day and night until his last day on this earth. There wasn’t an espionage book that didn’t make it onto his list. He would read almost 90 books a year for almost 25 years and in his 93rd year, he read over 40 books on his computer. Reading was truly his passion.
In his early retirement, he loved to play golf with his buddies and celebrated his first hole in one at the age of 75. Norm was also a skilled card player, amassing quite the collection of quarters that he always joked would be a substantial inheritance for his kids.
Norm was a strong advocate of education and was proud that all of his children graduated from professional schools and were successful in their own right.
Norm loved his grandchildren more than life itself and even though he spent most of his life separated from them in different cities, he was intimately involved in their lives with extended trips and visits to celebrate their birthdays, Bat Mitzvahs, and graduations. The family celebrations and mitzvahs were the most important parts of his life. His grandchildren, over the years, have had a special bond with their Zaidy. He could not be prouder of them and was grateful to be able to watch them grow and become the beautiful women that they are today.
Despite the limitations and restrictions of the pandemic, Norm, his children, grandchildren and extended family found ways to continually connect. They would Facetime often during the day and even more so during the lockdown period. This intimate connection is what kept his spirits high during this most difficult period.
The Goren family would like to extend their gratitude to everyone at the Simkin Centre, especially the staff on Weinberg 2. They provided him with a wonderful home for his last few years.
Norm lived his almost 94 years of life surrounded by a love of family, leaving a memory that will be sustained within them eternally.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a direct online donation to The Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre Foundation Inc., click on or call (204) 589-9027.
Obituaries
DAVID BLOOMFIELD
Sadly, David Bloomfield passed peacefully on December 19, 2024, age 79.
David was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Phillip Bloomfield, and older brothers, Joel and Auby. David will be deeply missed and mourned by his wife, Sheila, of 56 years, the love of his life, his children, Brenlee (Michael) and Evan (Ellen), as well as cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Lainee, and Lauren. David shared close relationships with his younger sisters, Naomi and Judi, and with their husbands, Shmuel and Larry, and with his sister-in-law, Linda. David also enjoyed meaningful relationships with each of his nieces and nephews.
David was born on January 20, 1945, and grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. He enjoyed many summers at his grandmother’s cottage in Winnipeg Beach, the place he first met Sheila. His love of the outdoors and beach life continued throughout his life.
David was proud of the varied jobs he held and businesses he created across his life. He opted for early retirement from Air Canada choosing to become an independent business owner, purchasing, developing, and operating three Subway restaurants. In later years he bought and sold RV trailers and was always the consummate deal maker.
Throughout his life, David was very involved in his community. He was a very active member of multiple synagogue boards and committees across several decades, later became an active member of his condo board, and ultimately continued to share his opinions and ideas as a resident of both the Courtyards and the Simkin Centre.
David enjoyed his down time and valued his relationships with family and friends. He loved simple things, like Sunday drives with Sheila. He relished weekly lunch and regular casino dates with Auby and enjoyed travelling with Sheila and his siblings and their spouses. David and Sheila enjoyed many holiday meals at Brenlee and Michael’s home over the years and made wonderful memories at Evan and Ellen’s Loni Beach cottage. Early retirement allowed David significant opportunity for travel, especially on cruises with Sheila, in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. David owned various travel trailers over 30 plus years and enjoyed winters RVing in Texas and local “Good Sam Club” campground meet ups. He introduced his children to RVing in the 1980s, and later shared his love for RVing with his grandchildren.
Huge thanks to David’s sister Judi Fielding, and brother-in-law, Larry Fielding, who provided David significant support, and significantly improved his quality of life in the final few years. Thank you to staff of Simkin Centre who provided excellent care of David during his final year. For those who choose, donations can be made to the Simkin Centre or Jewish Child and Family Services. Further details: e_bloomfield@yahoo.ca
Obituaries
ANNETTE FREDA MINUK (NEE MASSIE) June 25, 1924 – December 21, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother who left us peacefully on December 21, 2024 at the age of 100. She was laid to rest beside her late husband Harry at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbears attending were Kevin Minuk, Blake Minuk, Hayley Trenholm, Doug West, Simmie Globerman and Keith Levit.
Annette is survived by her children, Arlene West (Doug), Sheldon (Shoshana), Jeffrey (Harriet); grandchildren Kimberley (Chris) Kevin (Simmie), Blake (Chelsea), Hayley (Chris) and Harel; her great grandchildren Kyler, Krewyn, Charlotte, Annie, Lachlan and sister in law Yetta Levit. She was predeceased by her husband Harry, her parents Rebecca and Dalton, her brother Jack Massie, brothers and sisters in law, Max and Clara Zamick, Norman and Molly Lachter, Norman and Goldie Minuk, Evie and Jack Rosenbaum and Jack Levit.
Annette was truly one of a kind. She was a warm and loving person whose kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to her family always putting their needs ahead of hers. She was always there for all the kids and grandkids activities over the years. She was present at countless milestones and activities, celebrating every achievement with unwavering pride and joy. Her wisdom and compassion were a guiding light, and she had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel special, valued and deeply loved. She will be remembered for her generous heart, infectious smile and the countless memories that will forever live in our hearts.
Mom will be missed each and everyday, but now she is with our Dad where she wanted to be.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate her remarkable life and the enduring legacy of love she leaves behind. Her spirit will continue to inspire us, and she will always be cherished and missed.
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.
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