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Obituaries

NORMAN P ISLER

Isler Norman edited 1It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Norman Perry Isler (Naphtali Peretz ben Leepe, ha Levi). Norman was the beloved husband of Toba for 63 years. Loving father to Pamela (Robert), and Rhonda (Sam), and Zadie to Michael (Madison) David, Andrew and Rebecca. Son of the late Leopold and Elsa, and brother of the late Robert (Henrietta).

Norman was born in Brighton Beach, New York in February 1934. Norm attended PS 253, Abraham Lincoln High School and Brooklyn College. Growing up in Brighton Beach, Norm had a wonderful childhood, spending time with his family, swimming in the ocean and playing stickball on the street with his friends. Norm was fortunate enough to have both his street friends and his school friends, all of whom he cherished. Baseball was his passion and he was a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fan.
Education was very important to Norm. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Science, a Masters in Arts and after moving the family to Madison, Wisconsin in the late sixties for two years, he received his PhD in Education Administration.
Norm joined the US Army in 1955, where he served until 1957, stationed at Fort Lewis Washington – 50 miles south of Seattle. He and a few other Jewish men in his outfit would spend weekends in Seattle, with considerable time at the JCC, meeting girls. In 1957, shortly before his army discharge, Norm went to an event at the JCC where he met a lovely Jewish woman. Upon returning to his friends that evening, Norm would recount, “I think I just met the girl I am going to marry.”
Norman and Toba married in Winnipeg in 1958, but settled in New York for 18 months where they welcomed their first baby girl, Pamela. In 1961, they re-settled in Winnipeg and had their second daughter, Rhonda. Norm and Toba spent the next 40 years in Winnipeg. Norm worked his way up in education from a math teacher, to a Vice Principal at the Seven Oaks School Division, eventually becoming Superintendent.
Norm was active in his community in Winnipeg, serving on the Boards of the Rosh Pina Synagogue, the Seven Oaks Hospital, The Children’s Rehab Centre, and the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents. He even took a stab at a political career, running as both an MLA and MP.
After Norm retired from the school division he and Toba moved to Florida, where he tried his hand at a few more careers… financial planner, H&R Block tax specialist, and ‘almost’ real estate agent. In Norm fashion, he was active in his new Florida community, serving as Treasurer of the Ponte Vecchio West Board and driving the cop car to ensure neighborhood safety.
Norm was a highly organized administrator and an accomplished mathematician. His administrative skills were put to good use in both his work and personal lives.
Once, when planning a family trip to Europe, his daughters describe the military-like precision with which they toured various cities – spending the exact amount of time at each location as his schedule allowed. Half a day is really not enough time to see the entire city of Rome, but for Norm, planning and keeping to a schedule was just as good as the site itself.
Norm’s greatest joy in life was his family, and in his retirement, that joy was his grandchildren. Spending time with them was important to Norm, and he took every opportunity to take part in their lives; attending parent-teacher conferences, taking the entire family on vacations, dropping grandchildren off at college, and attending graduation ceremonies in Florida and Toronto. Although not the quickest to show emotion, Norm did not let a few days go by without his classic line “Zadie loves you very much”.
The last few years were hard for Norm and his family, as his memories became more and more fleeting, but they all took comfort in knowing how much he loved them all.
t’hay nafsho tzrurah b’tzror hachaim
May his soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life
In Norm’s memory, donations can be made to the Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) plant a tree in Israel campaign.

 

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Obituaries

TEDDY MULLER

In the early hours of September 29, 2025, holding the hands of his beloved daughter and granddaughter, Teddy quietly passed away just weeks before his 100th birthday. His passing coincided with the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiest of days, a sign of how honourably Teddy lived his life.

Teddy was born October 25 to his loving parents, Shlomo and Luisa in Balavasar, Romania and remained proud of his Transylvanian roots. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his older siblings, Lola and Zoli. Life drastically changed with the onset of the war. Teddy was forced into a slave labour camp while his siblings and mother were taken to concentration camps. His mother was murdered the day before liberation at Auschwitz, something that haunted him the rest of his life. Teddy’s entire testimony of the brutality that he endured is documented in the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation archive.

In the Fall of 1947, Teddy arrived in Winnipeg and within 24 hours was working as an upholsterer and didn’t stop until he was 88 years old. Along the way he was introduced to his beautiful Marie. They were married in 1950 during the flood and spent nearly 70 years together. Two young Holocaust survivors, with a mutual understanding of persecution and loss, began to build their lives together. They built a family with a strong and loving foundation. Their business, Art Upholstering, was built on honesty, respect and a commitment to craftsmanship. Teddy was always proud of the homes he had furnished and the connections he made with his customers. He was especially proud of restoring historical furnishings from Parks Canada. Teddy never had to take out an ad as his sterling reputation spoke for itself. Teddy had golden hands that crafted high quality showcases of his trade and artisanship. The same resilience that brought him through the war, brought him through a devastating fire where no arsonist was going to dictate his future. With the help of Fred and Cynthia Brick, Teddy rebuilt Art Upholstering from the ashes.

Family and friends were the most important things to Teddy. To know him was to love him. His charismatic and engaging personality left lasting impressions. His historical aptitude made him a force to be reckoned with in any debate.

Teddy revelled in the successes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were the world to him. He took his role as patriarch to heart. His support and love for his family was unconditional. He especially rose to the role of Zaidie and great-Zaidie Teddy Bear. He was a giver and never asked for much. Sitting on his deck, surrounded by his plants and apple tree filled his heart and soul.

Aging in his home was very important to Teddy. The compassionate care of Erlyn, his Joy, Timmalee, Adeena, Rose, Johnny and Marty was instrumental in maintaining Teddy’s dignity and independence and fulfilling his wish. Teddy’s quality of life was maintained thanks to the dedication of Dr. Brenda Hildebrand and her caring team. Regular visits from Chris, Gail, Alex, Allan and Emily kept Teddy engaged and stimulated.

Teddy was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Marie, his devoted son-in-law, Marshall, and granddaughter Jada. He is survived by his beloved daughter Laya, cherished grandchildren, Kyle (Carol), Gabi (Benji) and Skye (Cam), treasured great-grandchildren Alex, Maddy, Mavis, Mickey and Dori, as well as his son Marvin, and loving granddaughters Ilana and Timna.

Donations may be made to the Marshall S. Kneller Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or any organization supporting Israel, a cause near and dear to Teddy’s heart.

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Obituaries

RUTH KLAPMAN December 20, 1929 – September 24, 2025

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, Ruth Klapman.

Ruth lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. She was devoted to her late husband, Sam, her partner for 68 years. Together, they brought joy to every gathering-always the first to dance and the last to say goodbye.

Ruth was deeply committed to volunteer work. She gave her time to organizations including Hadassah, ORT, the National Council of Jewish Women, Pioneer Women, and the Women’s Endowment Fund. She chaired the ORT thrift store for 14 years, and she sang in Israel as a member of the Rosh Pina Synagogue Choir.

Ruth spent every summer at Winnipeg Beach, sharing komish and other treats with generations of neighbourhood children who would visit the cottage throughout the day. She was everybody’s ‘Bubbie’. Winters were spent in Palm Springs, welcoming her children and grandchildren for fun in the sun.

Ruth was a true party person who loved spending time with friends and hosting family gatherings. Her home was a place where people came together to share meals, stories, and laughter. She enjoyed travelling the world and never refusing an invitation, no matter where it was.

Mother to Sandi (Sam Malamud), Marla Bernstein, Hartley (Drew Salter), and Jody (Brian Goldberg); grandmother to Andrew (Hilary), Allan (Alona), Aaron (Alanna), Jason (Lindsay), Steven (Alexis), Dana (Tom), Brady (Matt), Carly (Jay), Hanna (Gaby), and Kevin (Ilana).

Great-grandmother to Florie, Stan, Juniper, Angus, Isaac, Otto, Cole, Chase, Charlotte, Rory, Mason, and Romi; sister-in-law to Sandy Youssiem; Auntie Ruthie to many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband Sam, her parents Reuben and Rose Youssiem, and her brother Saul Youssiem.

A special thank you to Marivel Toledo for her many years of care and dedication, and to Lorna Allen and Fabi Patriarca for their great support.

Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for officiating the funeral service, which took place on September 26, 2025, at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth and Sam Klapman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 204-477-7520.

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Obituaries

JEROME AVERY

April 2, 1945 – September 11, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerome Avery, who passed away with his family by his side on September 11, 2025, at the age of 80.

Jerome was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Allan and Diane Avery. He was married to the love of his life, Karen, for 46 years, until her passing. Jerome was blessed to find love and companionship again with Sergia, who he cared deeply for.

Jerome treasured being “Zaida” to his grandchildren, Danica, Alexis, and Nathan. Jerome is survived by his loving children, Robyn (Don) and Tammy (Chris); his grandchildren Danica (Benny), Alexis (Brett), and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Karen, his parents Allan and Diane Avery, and his in-laws Nathan and Rose Sarbit.

His smile lit up a room bringing joy and comfort to all who knew him.

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