Obituaries
PAUL (FEIVEL) GRANOVSKY May 19, 1931 – December 26, 2023
Paul, of blessed memory, passed away the 15th of Tevet, 5784.
Paul is survived by his wife of 25 years, Claire Breslaw, his daughter Sharon, son Stephen (Ferne), grandchildren Kevin (Anna), Allison (Rob), Ben, Ava, and Sadie, great-grandson Maxwell, and his brother Bernie, as well by his stepchildren Susan (Tom) and Curtis (Sara), and step grandchildren, Sophie, Ethan, Malcolm, and Sam. He loved all deeply, without condition.
Paul was pre-deceased by his first wife of 32 years, Barbara, his sister Tybie, and his stepdaughter Shelley (Kevin).
Paul was proudly a life-long resident of Winnipeg. He was an icon on the Manitoba sports scene. Paul was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the infamous Stellars who won Canadian Championships in basketball in 1950 and 1951. He was also one of the best tennis players in the province, earning an athletic scholarship to Bemidji State for both tennis and basketball. At a time when few left Winnipeg for school, Paul went on to the University of Illinois to earn his Masters in Education and as a PhD candidate in Colorado.
Paul left Colorado before completing his PhD to tend to his first wife Barbara who had fallen ill. Barbara would recover. Paul fell in love with teaching and remained in Winnipeg as a high school teacher and coach for more than 30 years. “Mr. G”, as he was affectionately known by his students, was beloved for his totally approachable demeanour, quick wit, and his complete dedication to each student individually. He always was one who volunteered to staff student trips abroad and, while his focus was basketball, Paul also coached many sports teams over the years, mentoring athletes who would go on to represent Canada and participate in the Olympics.
Paul was active at Rosh Pina synagogue, spending a term as Vice President. He was fluent in Yiddish, proud of his daughter for carrying on the Yiddish legacy; while maybe a tad embarrassed of his son’s lack of “linguistic abilities”.
Paul’s humility was surpassed only by his achievements. He regaled nobody with his stories; even his children knew precious few details of his many accolades. Paul was content and his modesty defined him. Paul’s first wife Barbara fell ill again in 1994 and, as was Paul’s way, he left teaching to initially travel extensively with Barbara and then go on to support her by her bedside; twelve hours each day over her final months. Paul and Claire married in 1998. Theirs was a late in life love affair that lasted 25 years. Rarely apart, Paul was as dedicated to Claire as she was to him; together they brought the Breslaw and Granovsky families together as one.
Paul was not just a husband or partner to Barbara and to Claire. He was a true soulmate. Paul was simply an awesome role model for everyone who met him. The family is ever thankful to the staff of Grace Hospital, 5 North. As everyone, they loved Paul. They took great care of Paul in his final weeks and the family owes a debt of gratitude. A special thanks to Dr. George and Dr. Joshua.
Donations in Paul’s honor may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – The Breslaw/Granovsky Fund. (www.jewishfoundation.org/how-to-give) or to the Grace Hospital Foundation (www.gracehospitalfoundation.ca/ways-to-help)
Obituaries
SOL SHLOMO TODRES
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Sol (Shlomo) Todres on October 27, 2024 in Israel. Sol was born in Winnipeg in 1934 to Sam and Bessie Todres. He was a proud North Ender who graduated from St. John’s High School and received his BA and Masters in Social Work from the University of Manitoba. He was a strong believer in the power of group work and translated those beliefs in his role as the first full-time Director of Bnai Brith Camp in Kenora. Of his many innovations, his most beloved and enduring was the development of Advanced Camp for the older campers- a source of meaningful and enduring memories for many.
In 1968 he made Aliyah and settled in Kfar Saba. He earned his doctorate in Social Work from Yeshiva University. His work career included contributions to the Ministry of Welfare and Bar Ilan University.
He is survived by his loving wife Varda, his son Allon (Ortal), his daughter Naomi of Ibiza, Spain. He leaves behind his brother Rubin (Elaine), his nephews, Jesse of Toronto, Howard of Saskatoon, his nieces Lindsay of New York, and Susan of Winnipeg, and three grandchildren.
Donations in his honour can be made to Bnai Brith Camp of Winnipeg
Obituaries
BARBARA GOSZER April 15, 1930 – October 6, 2024
It is with profound sadness along with gratitude for her long and purposeful life that we announce the passing of Barbara Goszer. Left with cherished recollections are her children Sharon (Steven Tritt), Elliott (Jennifer Schulz), her grandchildren Sam (Justine), Joseph (Shaun), Nicholas, Sarah, Jack and Max, and her great-grandchildren Carson and Callie. She also leaves to mourn her passing nieces Hilda (Len), Debbie (Jack), Libby (Doug) and their families who loved their “Aunty” dearly. She was predeceased by “the love of her life”, Adam, to whom she was married for almost 60 years and by a daughter, Yonah.
Barbara was born in Lwow, Poland where she often said she had an idyllic childhood until 9 years of age, when the Second World War and the Holocaust started. She was the sole survivor of her family, having been hidden by a courageous woman whom she had honoured as The Righteous Among the Nations and whose descendants sought her out in 2013, forming a warm connection over the past decade.
Barbara was a petite but strong, opinionated, principled woman with an extraordinary sense of social justice, a remarkable work ethic, and the deepest of loyalty. She lived with intention. As a living witness to a time in history when inhumanity was at its height, she spent decades dedicated to educating school aged children and their teachers throughout Manitoba and other parts of Canada about the dangers of discrimination and intolerance of diversity. She advocated standing up for others and taking action despite fear. She also encouraged appreciation for freedom and having a roof over one’s head. Her legacy will inspire her family members as well as generations of children to make a difference in bettering the world we live in. She dreamed of a world free of hatred and of a bright future.
Thank you to Dr. Sheila Domke, her primary care physician, to the entire health care team on 4 North at Grace Hospital, and to her many caregivers in the past couple of years who treated her with the utmost of dignity and respect.
Funeral services were held graveside at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on October 8, 2024. Those wishing to honour her memory can do so by making a donation to the “Barbara and Adam Goszer Holocaust Education Centre Endowment Fund” at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
BARBARA RUTH HOCHMAN June 7, 1952 – September 16, 2024
t is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Hochman on Monday, September 16, 2024. Barbara was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the first child born to Clarice and Jack Rubin. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Danny, mother Clarice, sister Jackie (Akman), brother Ron (Rubin), brother-in-law Mickey Hochman (Dorine), nephew Jared Akman (Leanne), niece Jamie Berman (Skyler) and great-nieces and nephew, Lowan, Julie, Shea and Hannah. Barb was predeceased by her father Jack Rubin and brother-in-law Richard Akman. Barbara grew up in River Heights, attending Grant Park High School, then continued her studies at the University of Manitoba. On her first day of university she met Danny and they were married two years later. Barbara began working as a secretary at the law firm Aikins, MacAulay and Thorvaldson, and then advanced to become a corporate and commercial paralegal. She returned to law school while working at AM&T, and eventually became a partner at the firm. Barbara excelled at everything she put her mind to. She was beautiful, stylish and fiercely intelligent. Barb courageously fought her first battle with cancer over 30 years ago. Since then she enjoyed life to the fullest. Barb was a loving and devoted wife, an amazing sister and an extremely generous aunt and great-aunt. She and Danny moved from Winnipeg to Kelowna 15 years ago where they escaped Winnipeg winters and saw their golf games flourish. Barbara will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held to celebrate Barbara’s life on September 20, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jared Akman, Jamie Berman, Skyler Berman, Brent Knazan, David Rubin and Danny Rubin.
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