Obituaries
PHILLIP (PHIL) RUBIN May 28, 1937- September 16, 2018
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Phil Rubin announces his peaceful passing on September 16, 2018 at the age of 81 years. Phil took his final breaths in the Palliative Care Unit of Riverview Health Centre with his family: wife, Ruthie, and daughters, Marni and Lainey, comforting him at his side.
The funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes on September 17, 2018. The service was officiated by Rabbi A. Altein. Pallbearers were Rabbi S. Altein, Hilary Avertick, Jeff Gilbert, Rabbi B. Heidingsfeld, Mark Rubin, and Avi Saper. Internment took place at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Phil was born on May 28, 1937 in Ottawa, Ontario to Max and Ida Rubin. At the age of seven, he, with his family, relocated to Winnipeg where he grew up in The North End. After graduating from St. John’s High School, he attended the University of Manitoba, graduating from the Faculty of Engineering in 1962 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He began his working career with the Manitoba Telephone System and retired from his position there in Communications and Planning in 1992.
Phil enjoyed retirement during which he continued to be actively involved in his wife’s and daughters’ many and various pursuits. He loved researching many areas of interest to him and trading on the stock market. Phil also enjoyed travelling. His most frequent destination was Los Angeles, California, where his late older brother, Coleman, and family, as well as his late Auntie Molly, resided. Besides California,he travelled to many world destinations, the most memorable being the trip he planned to New Zealand to celebrate Lainey’s graduation from university.
On July 31, 1977, Phil married Ruthie Nimchonok. They built a wonderful life together, establishing a loving and welcoming home in River Heights. Together they enjoyed hosting many family functions, dinners, and religious holiday gatherings. They were fond of attending Manitoba Theatre Centre and Jewish Theatre productions with their close friends. Especially their life revolved around the interests and activities of their daughters.
Phil was an involved Father and Grandfather. He adored his daughters and granddaughters, Iris and Amelia. He heartily welcomed his son-in-law, Hilary, Marni’s husband, into his life. Phil was a soft spoken man of few words, but many kind and thoughtful deeds. He shied away from public recognition, preferring to be in the background providing assistance to family and friends without fanfare.
Phil was rarely ill. He was always considered in good health until he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the fall of 2016. He maintained a very positive attitude toward his struggles with this disease, never bitter nor angry about his situation. He was an exemplary patient who cooperated with his medical team, always expressing appreciation for all they did. He and his family were grateful for the care and guidance of Drs. Semus, Rimmer, Paulson, Gingrich and, of course, his G.P., Dr. van Jaarsveldt. An integral part of Phil’s treatment was organized by Jackie Chahine, his Clinical Trial Nurse, to whom Phil and his family were extremely grateful. Phil and his family were also so thankful for the home-based physiotherapy provided by Lisa Mills-Hutton. His whole medical team provided him with outstanding care and compassion. Great thanks go to all of the people, too numerous to mention individually, who provided Phil with loving, kind,and thorough care: the amazing staff of HSC on GB3; the outstanding Nurses, Healthcare Aides, and Respite workers of WRHA’s Homecare team who treated Phil with dignity and respect, not only seeing to his medical and physical well-being, but giving him emotional support. In his final days, his family was thankful to the remarkable staff on the Palliative Care Unit at Riverview Health Centre, who ensured Phil was free of pain and comfortable to the end.
Phil and Ruthie were blessed with the love and support of a large group of family and friends who readily provided them with spiritual and emotional comfort, as well as practical assistance. Whether they lived near or far, they were ever present in Phil and Ruthie’s lives during Phil’s illness. His family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of them!
Phil is survived by his wife, Ruthie (Nimchonok), daughters: Marni (Hilary Avertick), and Lainey; and granddaughters: Iris and Amelia Avertick; Sisters-in-law, Elly Rubin and Shelley Nimchonok; Brother -in- law, Meyer Nimchonok; numerous devoted Nieces and Nephews and their children, and many loving Cousins. He was predeceased by his parents: Max and Ida (Freedman) Rubin; and brother, Coleman Rubin.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chabad of Winnipeg, 1845 Mathers Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3N 0N2 or to Cancercare Foundation of Manitoba, Psychosocial Oncology, 1160-675 McDermot Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9
We bid farewell to a man whose love was constant, whose heart was pure, and whose memory will last Forever. Rest In Peace, dearest Phil/Dad!
On September 6th, 2023, Samuel (Sam) Isaac Wilder, K.C., passed away at the age of 83 in his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Sam was born on August 2nd, 1940, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to parents Jack and Rose (Garfinkel) Wilder, who emigrated from Romania. After graduating from St. John’s Technical High School in 1957, Sam continued his education at the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in 1961. Sam obtained his Bachelor of Law in 1965, earning the University of Manitoba/Law Society of Manitoba Gold Medal, among many other academic distinctions. Sam was well-respected as a contributor to the Winnipeg Jewish and broader communities and for his 56-year career as a litigator. Sam and his brother, Joe, built their law firm Wilder Wilder & Langtry LLP from the ground up and managed it until it merged with PKF Lawyers in 2020.
More importantly, Sam was known and loved by all for his character. With a smile that would light up a room, Sam will be remembered for his kindness, personability, humour, intelligence, and compassion. When he was not in the office, you could find Sam sitting on the docks at Winnipeg Beach, watching the Blue Bombers play, and spending time with his family, who were the most important thing in the world to him. Sam loved the outdoors, whether it was enjoying a meal in his screened veranda, riding his bike with his grandchildren, or, in his younger days, training for his next marathon. Sam also loved to golf with his friends, whether in Florida at Gleneagles, or at the Glendale Golf and Country Club here in Winnipeg, where he almost lost an eye after ricocheting a ball off d a tree on the 12th hole.
There are truly no words capable of expressing how incredible of a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and person Sam was. His endless positivity and ability to bring out the best in everyone he touched will be dearly missed.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Wendy, and his three children, Lisa, Raven, and Jonathan. His memory also lives on in his brother Joe, daughter-in-law Kylie, and five grandchildren, Matthew, Megan, Ross, Mika, and Maxwell.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to family and friends from near and far, CancerCare Manitoba, home caregivers, and the palliative nursing team.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution in honour of Sam may be made to the Sam and Wendy Wilder Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (204-477-7520).
With great sadness we announce that beloved father, zeyda, uber-zeyda, uncle, and brother, Morley Rypp, passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2023 in Winnipeg.
Left to cherish his memory are his kids, Howie (Beatriz), and Robyn (Arnie Usiskin), grandchildren Ma’ayan(Adam), Beth (Rob), Jacqui (Max), Adam(Adi), Natan(Tali) and great-grandchildren Ilai, Omri, Maya, Edie, Tamar, Basil, and Tom.
His beloved wife Shirley, his parents Joseph and Rose Rypp, and brother Meyer predeceased Morley.
Morley was born July 13, 1931 in Winnipeg’s North End. As a teenager, he found a passion playing basketball for the Stella Mission. The team, “The Stellars” was magic on the court winning the Canadian Dominion Championships in1950 & 1951. On the team, Morley made lasting friends who would continue to get together for reunions and stay very close throughout the years. The Stellars were inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 &84. These milestones saw the Stellars celebrating with weekend long reunions and dinners at Morley’s.
Morley went on to play with the University of Manitoba Bison’s while he was pursuing his pharmacy degree. Upon graduating, Morley opened Rypp’s Pharmacy on Corydon and Wentworth. He was a “workaholic”, spending most of his life working long hours but enjoying every minute – he had the ability to make everyone who came into the store feel welcome and important. He joined Shopper’s Drug Mart in the 1980’s, ending his career at the River and Osborne store.
Upon his retirement, he volunteered at many of Winnipeg’s cultural festivals – the Jazz Festival, Writer’s Festival, Fringe Festival to name a few. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his volunteerism.
Family was very important to Morley. He was a devoted and loving husband to Shirley. He was so proud of the creative endeavours of Robyn and Howie, and was extremely proud of his three bright and talented granddaughters. He loved taking them to and from school when they were little, dropping them off at lessons, attending all their recitals, hosting them on winter trips in Marco Island Florida and summer trips on his boat in Gimli.
Morley was generous and wise, accepting and tolerant – he loved a good argument but not a confrontation – he would agree to disagree. He was fiercely independent, staying in his condo and driving his car up until the end. Morley lived a long and fruitful life – celebrating life, and living life on his terms. Above all he enjoyed being with his family, his friends, and all the people he encountered, leaving his mark and his beautiful memory with everyone. He lived life as a mentsch (a person of integrity and honour) and died like a saint – quietly before the Shabbat.
The funeral was held graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetary on August 14, 2023. Our thanks to the pallbearers, Jacqui Usiskin, Ma’ayan Rypp, Rob Freeman, Max Mertens, Steve Perlmutter, and Nathan Jacobson. Also our thanks go to Morley’s home care workers Minerva Ronquillo, Hermie Teluz, and Loida Panganiban.
Donations may be made to The Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame or to a charity of your choice.
We will miss Morley’s wisdom, humour and smile. May his memory always serve us as a blessing.
Phyllis Pollock died at home Sunday September 3, 2023 in Winnipeg, after a courageous lifetime battle with cancer.
Phyllis was a mother of four: Gary (Laura), daughter Randi, Steven (deceased in 2010) (Karen), and Robert. Phyllis also had two grandchildren: Lauren and Quinn.
Born in Fort Frances, Ontario on February 7, 1939, Phyllis was an only child to Ruby and Alex Lerman. After graduating high school, Phyllis moved to Winnipeg where she married and later divorced Danny Pollock, the father of her children. She moved to Beverly Hills in 1971, where she raised her children.
Phyllis had a busy social life and lucrative real estate career that spanned over 50 years, including new home sales with CoastCo. Phyllis was the original sales agent for three buildings in Santa Monica, oceanfront: Sea Colony I, Sea Colony II, and Sea Colony. She was known as the Sea Colony Queen. She worked side by side with her daughter Randi for about 25 years – handling over 600 transactions, including sales and leases within the three phases of Sea Colony alone.
Phyllis had more energy than most people half her age. She loved entertaining, working in the real estate field, meeting new and interesting people everyday no matter where she went, and thrived on making new lifelong friends. Phyllis eventually moved to the Sea Colony in Santa Monica where she lived for many years before moving to Palm Desert, then Winnipeg.
After battling breast cancer four times in approximately 20 years, she developed metastatic Stage 4 lung cancer. Her long-time domestic partner of 27 years, Joseph Wilder, K.C., was the love of her life. They were never far apart. They traveled the world and went on many adventures during their relationship. During her treatment, Phyllis would say how much she missed work and seeing her clients. Joey demonstrated amazing strength, love, care, and compassion for Phyllis as her condition progressed. He was her rock and was by her side 24/7, making sure she had the best possible care. Joey’s son David was always there to support Phyllis and to make her smile. Joey’s other children, Sheri, Kenny, Joshua and wife Davina, were also a part of her life. His kids would Facetime Phyllis and include her during any of their important functions. Phyllis loved Joey’s children as if they were her own.
Thank you to all of her friends and family who were there to support her during these difficult times. Phyllis is now, finally, pain free and in a better place. She was loved dearly and will be greatly missed. Interment took place in Los Angeles.
