Obituaries
RIVAN KENNETH HALPRIN
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, cousin and friend. Ken passed away peacefully on Monday, February 11, 2019, at the age of 91, at the Health Sciences Centre.
Ken was born in Winnipeg on August 5, 1927, the same day and month as his mother. The eldest of three children of Joseph, a lawyer, and Rae Halprin, a loving homemaker. Ken married his wife Elyse Samuels on January 17, 1951. Together they raised their children, Susan, Tracey and David.
Ken proudly studied law and graduated in 1950 from the University of Manitoba. He began work as a law student at the firm of Andrews Andrews Thorvaldson and Eggertson. After his articles he worked as Counsel at Aronovitch & Leipsic with his father Joseph and then joined the practice of law in partnership with his father in 1951, and later with his brother Paul William. His love of the law continued long after his retirement from active practice in 2005 as he applied legal analysis to analyze and solve life’s problems. Kenneth was a lawyer for over 50 years.
Ken was an active pro-bono participant in the Manitoba Bar Association and other bar and community activities including the incorporation of the Hebrew Congregation of Winnipeg Beach. He was the co-draftsman of a Special Act of the Manitoba Legislature that created the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. Ken served as a Director of the Foundation, and on the Board of Governors and Audit Committee for many years.
Ken was known for his love of gardening, reading and music. Ken loved to cook sometimes to great success and sometimes not so much. An avid athlete in youth, he actively participated in skiing and cycling throughout his life. The family enjoyed memorable summers boating and entertaining at their lakefront cottage in Boundary Park, Winnipeg Beach.
His children, and latterly his grandchildren remember with great fondness his innate curiosity. He loved books and was a voracious reader, enjoyed fishing, photography and the humour of a great joke or funny limerick.
Ken and Elyse spent their winters in Florida from 1978, and made many dear friends there.
Predeceased by his parents, younger brothers, Paul (William) and Edward, and daughter Tracey, Ken is survived and will be sorely missed by his loving wife Elyse, of 68 years; his children, Susan (Bryan Klein) of Winnipeg and David (Linda Redman) of Toronto; his grandchildren, Baillie (Dan), Sarry (Scott), Julie (Alan) and Emily; his great-grandchildren, Lyla and Asher, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials in Kenneth’s memory be sent to The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, MB (Donation Line: 204-477-7525).
The funeral service was held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.
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.