Obituaries
RITA VINE
After a life long lived, it is with loving memories and sad hearts we announce the passing of Rita Vine on June 23, 2022 at the age of 91.
Left with treasured memories are her children Marty and Pam, Cindy and Marc, and grandchildren Jordan(Tali), Riley(Bev), Amy(Liam), Jesse, and Seth. Rita was predeceased by her devoted and much loved husband of 60 years, Alec, who passed in 2014, parents, Rose and Nathan Garfinkel, and by her brother and sister-in-law Irv and Shirley Garfinkel.
Rita was born in Winnipeg on September 7, 1930, and grew up in the South End of the city. She lived with her parents and various members of extended family in their family grocery stores, and attended Kelvin High from which she graduated. Rita worked as a secretary in the Legislative Building until she married the love of her life Alec in 1953 and became a housewife and stay at home mom to Marty and Cindy. She was a devoted mother to her children, and a loving and caring daughter to her mother who she looked after for many years. When faced with difficult times throughout our dad’s lengthy illness, she demonstrated a strength and devotion that was an inspiration to all, first looking after him at home, then spending every day with him at the Simkin Centre where he spent his last years.
Rita enriched the lives of her family, friends, and acquaintances with her love, caring, and humour. She enjoyed watching her children mature, succeed in their careers, and start their own families. She took great pride in her grandchildren and so enjoyed hearing about their lives and accomplishments.
Rita and Alec were a wonderful team and had a loving 60 year marriage. They had a close circle of lifelong friends and were engaged in numerous activities. Saturday nights out ‘for a bite’ with the group went on for years as did travels to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Mexico with various members of their gang. Rita was proud of her Jewish heritage and volunteered with ORT and other organizations over the years. She made long lasting connections and still cherished her childhood friends from Kelvin High. She remained close with her Maj group and developed new friendships in her later years as she navigated her new normal, living on her own with Alec a resident in the Simkin Centre. Credit to her for being able to reinvent her life and welcome new friends and experiences at this later stage of her life.
Although we are saddened by the loss of a loved family member, we celebrate the life of an accomplished women, wife, mother, and grandmother. It is said in the Jewish faith that people never leave as long as you remember them. We will cherish the long life she lived and the memories we made with her, rather than ask why we cannot have more. She lived a beautiful life blessed with family and friends and leaves us with many loving memories to hold in our hearts.
As a family we are grateful and extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff on Weinberg One at the Simkin Centre where our mom spent her last years, and to Leizl whose caring and compassion are so appreciated. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Monday June 27, 2022. Pallbearers were Jordan Vine, Riley Streifler, Amy Vine, Jesse Streifler, Seth Streifler and Harvey Garfinkel. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Shaarey Zedek, The Simkin Centre, or a charity of your choice.
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.