Obituaries
NORMAN P ISLER
It 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.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.