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.
