Obituaries
RALPH GORDON
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph Gordon on February the 26, 2020 in Rancho Mirage Ca. at the age of 88. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Ethel, daughter of Abraham and Sally Malian, and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Hecht (Larry) and Seema Ariel (Brian).
He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his children Marshall (Amy), Sherwin (Nancy) and Kayla (Art Maister) and 6 grandchildren -Avril (Angela), Aaron (Brittany), Adam (Vivian) and Carly (Greg), Jacob and Cara. He was blessed to recently spend time with 4 great-grandchildren -Keira, Blake, Kenny, and Hallee. He will be affectionately remembered by his nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Ralph was born May 21, 1931, the son of Samuel Gordon and Nettie (Schweid). Sam came to Winnipeg from Vilna in 1915, then moved to Minnesota, joining the U.S. Army for World War I. After the war, Sam returned to Winnipeg to visit relatives where he met Nettie, also an immigrant, who had come from Austria to be with family. Sam and Nettie had three children: Helen, Lou, and Ralph.
Ralph grew up in the North end of Winnipeg on Alfred Avenue. He went to Machray School and St. John’s Tech. He was fun loving and an avid sportsman, and sang in the school operettas. He graduated from United College and the University of Manitoba. As a student, he worked for The Manitoban newspaper and was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. On June 19, 1955, he married the love of his life Ethel. He was a dedicated, devoted husband and dancing partner to her for 63 years. In the first years of their marriage, Ralph had several jobs. He was a manager at The Bay and then he sold and designed furniture at Ideal Brass. He was delivering furniture one day to St. John’s College and one of the nuns said, ‘You should go into education”. He took her advice and enrolled in the Faculty of Education at U of M taking classes over 3 summers. He later returned to complete his Master’s degree. He taught math and business in the St James School division at Ness, Samson Jr. High and John Taylor Collegiate for 25 years. Memory-filled summers were spent at Falcon Lake and then West Hawk Lake. He coached Hockey and was a certified Tennis teacher. Ralph was always generous with his time and patiently taught so many how to snow and water ski. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Tuxedo Tennis Club and taught tennis there for ten years. In his spare time, he supervised the construction of their unique homes in Tuxedo and Linden Woods and he built two summer cottages. He was the “second Jewish carpenter”. For Ralph, it was always about adventure and making memories, for himself, for Ethel, and for their family and friends. His memory and legacy will be cherished and he will be greatly missed.
Funeral Services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Winnipeg on March 4. Pallbearers were Adam Gordon, Aaron Maister, Greg Karon, Benjamin Hecht, Paul Hecht, Hardev Bains. Honorary Pallbearers were Evelyn Hecht and Jacob Gordon. Donations in Ralph’s memory can be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba and Parkinson Canada.
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.