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.
Obituaries
RHONDA MATIAS

Rhonda Matias (nee Rykiss) passed away peacefully December 31, 2024, in Toronto, surrounded by her children.
Daughter of the late Belle and the late Max Rykiss of Winnipeg. Rhonda was born in Winnipeg on May 3, 1944, and raised in both the North End on Inkster Boulevard and later Cordova Street in Winnipeg’s South End. Her family nickname was Cookie as her father said she had a round face. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, only to be called back to Winnipeg to take care of her ailing mother.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Rhonda was an independent and successful businesswoman. She worked in retail sales for her parents and from her basement, and later was a successful sales rep. Rhonda was a well-known and beloved figure at her own enterprise, A Store is Born, at the Winnipeg International Airport.
She loved fashion and art and followed in her mother and sister’s footsteps of cooking and baking. She read newspapers, kept in close contact with friends and family, stayed in shape and liked to spend time in the sun.
Rhonda relocated to Toronto in 2000 to be closer to family. She made many new friends and nurtured her love for dogs.
She is survived by her children, Debbi-Jo Matias (Kevin Filkow), Marshall Matias (Merav Barr). Bubbi Cookie adored her grandchildren, Mikaela Matias, Jack Matias, Jesse Filkow and Ari Filkow. She is also survived by her brother Bruce M. Rykiss and aunt Fay Rykiss, nieces and nephews, Jodi Sprackman (Paul), Steven Gilletz (Cheryl Lis), Douglas Gilletz (Ariane Cohen). She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Matias in June 1973.
Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes and Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg on January 2, 2025, Rabbi Kliel Rose presiding, and Shiva was observed in Toronto.
Pallbearers were Kevin Filkow, Jesse Filkow, Jack Matias, Ari Filkow, Bryan Borzykowski and Steven London.
The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, especially Michelle Ciego.
Donations may be made to Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – Rhonda Matias Memorial Fund in support of BB Camp, or charity of your choice.
Obituaries
SYBIL RUBIN MARCH 18 1931 – SEPTEMBER 4 2024

Sybil passed on to her next adventure on September 4, 2024 at age 93 1/2.
She was a bright light in many people’s lives, most especially her loving family’s. Sybil lived her values with joy, energy, and purpose. She was always welcoming and inclusive, unwaveringly supportive, loving and optimistic. She volunteered extensively her time and skills with countless community organizations. She thrived on both teaching and learning, presenting celebrated book reviews, as a community presenter on the subjects of Israel and Hanukkah, and developing iconic programs like the Beth El Art Auctions.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sybil was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, and was elected to lead her college as Lady Stick of Arts in her senior year. Sybil met Manly Rubin – the love of her life – while in their teens in Winnipeg; they married in 1953. They immediately ventured off to Dublin, Ireland where Sybil earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College while Manly earned his medical degree. She loved their time in Dublin, which provided opportunities to explore various European countries.
They then moved to a small town in Saskatchewan where they welcomed their three children: Harry, Caron and Rochelle. With relocation to Minneapolis a few years later, Sybil threw her energy into her new community’s programs, her children’s activities, and volunteer opportunities. She remained a voracious reader (participating in three book clubs) and enthusiastic traveler into her 80’s, bringing her family on exotic foreign adventures after Manly passed away in 2010. She always delighted in attending plays, concerts and other performances. Hers was a life well lived.
Sybil is survived by her adoring children, Harry, Caron (Marc Meirovitz) and Rochelle Rubin (Scott Rutzick); sister, Rochelle Pincovich; grandchildren, Colin and Ethan Meirovitz, Shelby Rutzick and Boaz, Amalya and Gilad Rubin, as well as loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Manly Rubin; parents, Sam and Minnie Heft; sister, Connie Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Myles Robinson, Leon & Lainy and Jack Rubin and Aurel Pincovic
Obituaries
ISAAC GOTFRIED

Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.
Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard. The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.
He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.
Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg. He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.
Isaac was a survivor. He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation. He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.
After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally. He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates. His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation. He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten. He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.
At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies. At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.
Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many. He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke. He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital. He was a very intelligent, self-educated man. He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.
Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.
In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg. It will also be live streamed. Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.