Obituaries
PERCY GOLDBERG
Percy died peacefully at his home in Winnipeg on June 26, 2019 surrounded by the people who loved him most. He was 97 years old.
He is survived by and will be deeply missed by his four children, Hennie Corrin (Richard Corrin), Barbara Goldberg, Patrice Goldberg and Laurence Goldberg (Diane Spivak); seven grandchildren, Matthew Corrin (Kate Corrin), Rachel Nedelec (Adam Nedelec), Adam Corrin (Lexi Corrin), Jonathan Goldberg, Rebecca Goldberg, Eric Meche and Michael Goldberg; and six great-grandchildren, Annie and Whitney Corrin; Lyla, Charlie and Madden Nedelec; and Piper Corrin; and will be sadly missed by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul and Karen Morton and by his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Elaine Goldberg in 2016, his parents, Morris and Flossie Goldberg, his brother Stanley Goldberg, his sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Barry Tessler and his sister and brother-in-law Adele and Sidney Standil.
Percy had a certain something special that touched people he encountered in an endearing and indelible way. He was a great conversationalist and an engaged and deferential listener. Everyone he met felt embraced by his warm and welcoming nature.
He was born in Winnipeg on August 15, 1921 and spent his formative years in Altona, Manitoba. He attended the University of Manitoba (B.A. 1942) and then the University of Toronto (D.D.S. 1946). He returned to the prairies and spent the first few years of his dentistry career in Altona before setting up permanently at 807 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg. He practiced for 47 years and contrary to stereotype, enjoyed and was rewarded by the practice of dentistry and the people he encountered along the way.
Percy met Elaine Morton in the lobby of the Royal York Hotel before the 1953 Grey Cup game. They were married four months later and in less than five years they had four children. Theirs was a long and loving marriage and family was always the most important thing in both of their lives. He loved and supported and provided for his family and extended family until his last day.
Percy led quietly and by example. To all who knew him, he was a model of how to live and age gracefully. Many people relied on his wisdom and good judgment. He was fiercely independent, never uttered a complaint and always put his own needs last. He was even-keeled and patient, modest and dignified. “Everything in moderation” was an expression he used and lived his life by. He loyally supported the Jets and Bombers (and, at the end, even the Raptors), read widely and was intellectually engaged in life until the very end.
As his strength declined, there were many people who stepped in to coordinate his care and for whom he became a respected and trusted friend. The family would especially like to thank Edith Mendoza, Maryann Cuevas, Leonara Mamorno, Maria Taflan, Jasmin Lamsen and Issac Okunola and Dr. Kevin Coates for his exemplary and trusted care.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 28, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg and followed by a gathering of friends and family at 622 Park Blvd. West, Winnipeg. Shiva will be observed in Winnipeg on Sunday June 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 622 Park Blvd. West, Winnipeg; and in Toronto on Monday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 2 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 226 Stibbard Avenue, Toronto.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Percy’s memory to the Elaine and Percy Goldberg Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (www.jewishfoundation.org / Tel. (204) 477-7520) or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation (www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca / Tel. (204) 787-4177).
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
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