Obituaries
RAYA GINDIN FEBRUARY 10, 1926 – OCTOBER 2, 2025
Thanks everyone for coming to share this farewell to Raya Gindin.
Her father called her Rasheleh. I always loved the sound of that name, especially how my grandfather said the syllables: full of affection but also capturing the innocence he saw in his daughter and his concern to care for her.
The defining historical event for my mother and others of her generation was of course the Holocaust and its immediate aftermath. She was born in Poland in 1926, just as Hitler was emerging in Germany and was thirteen when WWII started – about the age of three of her great grandkids – and by the end of the war she was married with a child and living in Siberia, where the Soviet Union had relocated Jews for their protection as the Germans advanced. The family spent the next five years in refugee camps, where they had their second son, Jeff and then reached America and soon after Canada, where Barry was born.
The survivors of the Holocaust were all scarred by its horror, though their attempts at coping varied. What was common, as it is for refugees the world over today, was the loss of family and friends, the displacement from home and community, and the forced option of starting over in a strange land with a language they could not speak or understand.
Rasheleh’s anxieties were sometimes set aside but they were always nearby. That she adapted had very much to do with her joy from, and commitments to, the family. Crucial as well was the remarkable resiliency of Rasheleh and her husband, Meyer. For both, it was not enough to survive; their passion for life demanded more than simply enduring.
Rasheleh loved singing with friends around a crowded table. She enjoyed shopping – catching up after decades of poverty – and her elegance was much commented on. She especially loved dancing and more dancing. If Meyer needed to rest, she danced with others until he recuperated.
She had a radiant smile with eyes to match and a particular joy for her grandkids was seeing her watch I Love Lucy and laugh uncontrollably, tears rolling down her cheeks. When it seemed the need for air was forcing an end to her laughter, she’d stop for a second but quickly burst into another round of uncontainable laughter until sheer exhaustion forced her into a lurching stop.
Her last few years were especially hard, but she had the best care possible from Eunice and her “angels” and, in the last months, also from the nurses and doctors in the hospital, where she died peacefully.
Her loving family includes her three sons: Sam, Jeff, and Barry; our spouses Schuster (Barbara), Susan, and Eve; grandkids Jonah and Lucas, Mathew and Tony, Elia, Benji and Joey, Roxan and Slateon; and great-grandkids Ruby, Mollye, Mira, Zev, Bryn, Skyler, and Dev.
As we say goodbye to Rasheleh-Mom-Bobeh- Gramma-super-Bobeh and move on in our own lives, a part of her lives on in us in ways deep and small, and there will be loving memories to share when we gather together again down the road.
If she could reappear for a moment to say farewell for herself, her predictable counsel – familiar to everyone in the family – would be to “Dress warmly and drive carefully”.
Obituaries
KEVIN PAUL STEINBERG June 1, 1967 – October 29, 2025
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Kevin Steinberg (O’Neil) on October 29, 2025 at the age of 58 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be forever remembered by his mom Donna, sister Debbie (Marc), brother Jeff (Jocelyn), nieces and nephews, Josh (Dena), Zach, Samantha (Sean), Jaidyn, Jordyn, Jilliyn, Jayson and great-nephew Benny, his aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends across Winnipeg, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs and beyond. Kevin was predeceased by his dad Eddie and stepdad Ernest.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kevin moved to Toronto at 19 years of age. He attended Ryerson Theatre School and quickly earned his Equity and ACTRA cards. After winning the U.S. Green Card Lottery he moved to Los Angeles. Within a couple of years he appeared on Seinfeld, Frasier, Married with Children and more. He later worked behind the scenes in TV and film. Kevin also had a great job in catering and told fun stories of the famous people he worked for in L.A.
In 2006 Kevin returned home to Winnipeg, where he continued acting and design. He later moved back to Toronto to join a design firm. It was there he was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare head and neck cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Kevin lived fully – auditioning, writing and travelling. During COVID he launched a podcast – Everyday Heroes. He also shared cooking videos, learned to sketch and kept creating. Kevin thrived, inspiring everyone around him with his resilience, humour and zest for life. Kevin always lived “in the moment”, he embraced life as it came. He will be remembered for his creativity, humour, courage and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Hochman, CancerCare Manitoba, Lisa and the whole team at Palliative Care, Rabbi Matthew Leibl, Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and MAID.
Kevin requested that donations be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation www.accrf.org
Obituaries
Howard Lorne Tennenhouse March 7, 1956 – October 16, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Howard (Howie) Lorne Tennenhouse. He passed away on October 16, 2025, after a courageous ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Howie fought with every ounce of strength and determination he had.
Born on March 7, 1956, Howie earned his BA from the University of Winnipeg in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979. While attending the University of Manitoba, he met his devoted partner, Susan. After dating for five years they were married on November 14, 1982. Susan and Howie supported one another throughout their life together, and she stood by his side with unwavering devotion until the very end.
Howie was the proud father of three daughters and sons-in-law, Lauren (Jesse), Ellie (Evan), and Shira (Gideon) and the adoring Zaida How, to Jack, Joey, Charlotte (Charlie), and Brandon (Bran). He is also survived by his two sisters, Judy Mahon (and her family) and Penny Tennenhouse (Bill). Howie’s family was his greatest joy and the center of his world, and to his family he was a fierce protector and the most enthusiastic supporter.
Outside of his love for family, Howie’s heart belonged in Israel. He took immense pride in seeing the love of Israel and Jewish traditions passed down from his parents to his children and grandchildren.
Howie’s funeral was held on Sunday , October 19, 2025 at the Etz Chayim Synagogue with burial at the Rosh Pina Cemetery. Thank you to Rabbi Kliel Rose and to the pallbearers Morley Hoffman, Alden Hoffman, Joey Pollock, Harvey Oman, Evan Reinblatt, and Jesse Marantz. A big thank you to the doctors at Cancer Care Manitoba who worked tirelessly to care for Howie, and the incredible team at the Riverview Palliative Ward. A special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Qamar for her devotion to Howie. Your care and kindness meant the world to the entire family.
Donations in Howie’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or to Riverview Palliative Care Ward 3E.
Howie was a passionate, loving, and larger-than-life presence. He will always be missed and never forgotten.
Obituaries
HARRY KREEL April 9, 1927 – October 20, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Harry Kreel announces his passing on October 20, 2025 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Rebecca Kreel; his brothers, Isadore and Boris Kreel; and his beloved wife Myrna, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Eileen; his son Darrell (Nicole); and his grandson Benjamin Kreel.
Harry was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in his early 20s. He spent his career in education. He was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division, Principal of R.B. Russell Vocational School and he also taught in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Our parents loved to travel, and throughout their lives they travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Upon his retirement, he and our mother were able to spend many wonderful winters in Palm Springs, as well as many visits to New York to visit family. The highlight for them was their trip to Israel, which was something they had always wanted to do, and they did.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Rabbi Carney Rose for officiating and for delivering a most beautiful and heartfelt service.
To the pallbearers, you know who you are, and we would like to thank you for being there for our father. We would also, at this time, like to thank the wonderful staff of Weinberg I at the Simkin Centre. You treated our father with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity and compassion, and for that we will be forever grateful. And last but certainly not least, to Sheryl, Tia, and Victoria Levine, to Leslie Stokoloff and Joe Lacey, we will be forever grateful for all your love and support during this most difficult time.
Should anyone so desire, donations may be made in our father’s memory to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or CancerCare Manitoba.