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Obituaries

RICHARD MICHAEL RICE February 8, 1947 – November 30, 2024

On Saturday, November 30, Richard Michael Rice, only son of Edward and Celia Rice passed away with his family by his side.
Dad leaves behind his best friend, the love of his life, and his wife of 55 years, Melissa (née Malchy). Richard and Melissa met as children, fell in love as teenagers, and spent every second since then deeply and madly in love.
Dad also leaves behind six children, the oldest three of whom he welcomed and loved as his own after the early passing of his sister and her husband, Glorianne and Gerald Robinovitch. Jennifer (David), Stephen (Rachel), and Hart (Ronee) Robinovitch; Danielle (Kevin), Aimee (Chris), and Brynn (Jordan) Rice idolized, looked up to him, and relied on his sage advice. Mostly though, we appreciated his wicked sense of humour, his gorgeously rich anecdotes, and the deep rumble of his voice during lullabies and bedtime stories.
Richard set high standards for himself, whether in work, education, his friendships, travel, or his many hobbies (from horseback riding to biking to golf to watching sports), which all in the family tried to emulate. All of his grandchildren (Molly, Edward, Leo, Celia, Jordan, Sydney, Gabrielle, Kaila, Sydney, Ari, Matthew, and Noah) looked up to him with love and respect and each seemed to bring out different sides of his playful nature, humour, curiosities, and strong mentoring abilities. Always interested in what each was accomplishing and personally passionate about, he gave endless support and let them know how much he truly cared about the unique paths they were taking. He was also extremely fond of the family’s English Springer Spaniels (Mac, Cooper, Maggie, Baxter, and Holly), providing endless opportunities for him to show his gentle love and leadership.
Dad was ridiculously proud of his children and their achievements, and being able to see his grandchildren grow up to engage with him in debates and bring him new ideas was a source of great joy. And the feeling is more than mutual. Dad has always provided us with a strong example of how to live a life well lived and often served as a guide as we faced challenges and decisions.
In addition to pursuing a PhD in Anthropology at Brown University, Dad was a successful and accomplished lawyer, but to him, that wasn’t as important as his role as head of the Rice family. He held deep regard for his relationships with his beloved sister Tama Werner and his sister-in- law, Naneve Hawke (Michael).
Despite 80-hour work weeks, dad always made time for family. From family dinners to coaching sports teams, to sharing videos he thought were funny, to watching movies, including one of his favourites, The Princess Bride, to taking us to Kelekis, dad was always present. Summers at the family cottage on Lake Winnipeg in Gimli provided the ideal setting for the family to spend time together and for him and Melissa totake the kids and grandchildren for long walks down the beach or to the pier for ice cream.
We – and dad- are grateful for the friends who continued to support him throughout his illness, to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for encouraging dad to reconnect with his faith, and to the entire care teams at Deer Lodge’s PRIME Program, Simkin Centre, and Victoria Hospital.
Dad always managed to find delight in every situation. Even the worst experience magically transformed through his voice into a humorous story. Dad would be laughing so hard at his own joke that we would have to wait for him to finish laughing before he could conclude his tale.
He would not want us to mourn. He would want us to hold our loved ones a little closer, find the joy and wonder in small things, and remember him with love and humour.
As you wish, dad. As you wish.

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Obituaries

EARL (ARIE) PERLMUTTER

We are saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and cousin Arie Perlmutter at the age of 77. Arie died peacefully after a brief but difficult struggle with cancer on April 12, 2025.

He was predeceased by his parents, Hymie and Thelma and by his beloved sister Sheila.

Arie developed and maintained many close friends throughout his life. He attended St. John’s High in the 60s and kept in touch with many of his classmates. He began his working life as a delivery driver for City Bread. This was followed by a career of over 20 years at Advance Electronics, where he was a well-respected and expert sales associate. He hung out at North End Sals, for virtually his entire life, discussing (arguing? kibitzing?) with many people too numerous to name, the issues of the day but especially about sports, and most especially about baseball.

In his retired life, he was a member of Larters Golf Club, golfing with much enthusiasm and passion, if not prowess. Arie donated to and volunteered at the Winnipeg Humane Society for many years.

His family and friends would like to thank the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital whose compassionate and caring attention to Arie in his final days was truly a great comfort to him.

In keeping with Arie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral will be held.

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Obituaries

IRENE MARANTZ (nee KATZ) November 28-1930 – March 30, 2025

Our mother, Irene , passed peacefully in her own home at the age of 94. Irene was predeceased by: her parents, Abe and Sally Katz , her husband; Cyril Marantz, sister Clarice Rosenbloom, brother Max Katz, sister Bernice Grant, her sons-in-law Mike Langer and Bruce Cook
Irene is survived by her children: Jeff Marantz and Barb, Debra Marantz, Susan Marantz, Ellen Marantz, and brother Harvey Katz; her grandchildren, Sarah Marantz Lindenberg and Ira, David Marantz and Olivia; her great-grandchildren Rose, Izabella and Max; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Our mother was born in Fort Francis, Ontario. After meeting and marrying my father Cyril she moved to Winnipeg. Mom loved that she moved to Winnipeg and had this large Jewish community for which she became an integral part of and it became a major part of her life.
Once her youngest daughter Ellen was in school, she went to work at the family business : Marantz and son, as a bookkeeper, and worked there until her early 70s.
Irene love to go to synagogue and be a part of Rosh Pina congregation. She was also a member of the sisterhood and was very involved in the activities in and around the synagogue. She was so grateful to learn Hebrew and to be able to participate in the Shabbat and other holiday services.
She spent every summer since the birth of her eldest son Jeff, at Winnipeg Beach.
She loved the beach riding her bike, going for long walks, meeting with her beach friends, playing cards and sharing good meals.
Irene was a kind soul.
She never had a negative word to say about anybody and nobody ever had anything but a kind word to say about her.
Her family was the light of her life. She encouraged her children to pursue their dreams and be the best they could be.
She was a loving and caring grandmother to her grandchildren, and her home was always opened to them, her friends, her children’s friends and even to strangers.
Funeral was held on April 2
Pall bearers were : David Marantz, Ira Lindenberg, Allan Marantz, Ari Marantz, Stephen Rosenbloom, Hartley Katz. Honorary pall bearer: Josh Marantz

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Obituaries

SYLVIA BASS NOVEMBER 19, 1924 – MARCH 14, 2025

On March 14,2025, after a very long life and a brief illness Sylvia Bass (nee Breitman) passed away peacefully. She is survived by son Ken, daughter Robyn Lerner (Neal) and grandchildren Jordyn (Tina), Shea (Anna) and Blake (Jacqueline). She is predeceased by her husband Harold and her four siblings (Alvin, Joseph, Belle and Shirley).
Sylvia was born on November 19, 1924, and had her North End Winnipeg childhood shaped by the rigours of the Great Depression. When the warehouse that employed her father went out of business in 1931 her mother, a seamstress, regularly worked late into the night to keep the family from destitution.
In 1942 Sylvia graduated from Isaac Newton High School with an A average and entered the world of work as a receptionist and secretary. In the pre- Dictaphone era this was a challenging vocation, requiring mastery of the arcane language of Gregg and Pitman shorthand. Her employers included Dr. Art Lerner and a forerunner agency of Jewish Child and Family Services.
In 1948 Sylvia met her life partner Harold Bass, an auto mechanic and auto body shop proprietor. After they married, at the fashionable Marlborough Hotel, she devoted herself to providing a home for her husband and children -Ken, born in 1950 and Robyn, in 1960. Her responsibilities increased in the Fall of 1966 when Harold decided on a radical career change, from the auto trades to government employment as a welfare worker.This meant attending an eleven month college course, available only in Brandon.
Sylvia was always sociable, enjoying the company of her Garden City neighbours, her many friends and her large extended family. For many years she was active in Pioneer Women (Na’amat), and a memorable 1971 trip to Israel strengthened her connection with the homeland. She and Harold also travelled to Chicago and Florida, as well as several trips to Las Vegas, where she indulged the Breitman family taste for gambling.
In their later years Sylvia and Harold focused their attention on their grandchildren, letting everyone know of their many and various accomplishments. Unfortunately, in 2009 Harold suffered serious health problems and was no longer able to live at home. He died the next year. Because her natural sociability made living alone out of the question Sylvia moved to the Portsmouth Retirement Residence, where she was a vital part of the community for the next sixteen years.
The funeral took place at the Chesed Shel Emes on Sunday, March 16 with interment at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery, Rabbi Anibal Mass presiding. Pallbearers were Jordyn Lerner, Shea Lerner, Blake Lerner, Harrison Katz, Ramy Penner and Benji Winestock. Neal Lerner, David Davis and Ken Bass were honorary pallbearers. Our thanks to the caring staff at the Portsmouth, JTRC Care Services and the Grace Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Terry Babick, who cared for Sylvia for many years and helped her to reach 100.
Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to do so to an Israeli – linked charity of their choice.

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