Obituaries
Robert Nozick October 15, 1946 – June 13, 2023
Our family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Robert Steven Nozick on June 13th. Robbie had lived with Parkinson’s for some 20 years, and it eventually took his life. He was interred June 15th at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery; his pallbearers were Jennifer Ritter, Kimberly Nozick, Josh Nozick, Jacob Steele, Alan Ritter and Brianna Ritter.
Robbie was predeceased by his parents Anne and Manuel, and is survived by and will be lovingly missed by his brother, Michael (Cheryl Ashley), his sister Marcia (Doug Aason), and nephews and nieces and grand-nieces and grand-nephews: Jennifer Ritter (Alan) and their twins Brianna and Madeline, Kimberly Nozick, Holly Steele, Joshua Nozick (Emily) and their children Scarlett and Cody, and Jacob Steele (Laura), and their children Alia and Mirabai. He will also be lovingly remembered by Rochelle Nozick.
Robbie led a life of great accomplishment. He was educated at Brock-Corydon, River Heights, and Grant Park schools, then graduated from the University of Manitoba, followed by Law School there, and completed his education at Harvard University where he earned a Masters Degree in Law, finishing 2nd in his class. He wrote a textual analysis of the Competitions Act of Canada and then taught for 18 years as a professor at the University of Alberta. He returned to Winnipeg where he continued his Law career, as an opinion writer for a major law firm and was often a consultant to major corporations and government.
Robbie was brilliant. When he wasn’t working, he was a master of all forms of number and word puzzles. He could solve the most complicated Sudoku and cryptic crosswords, in pen. He loved reading and thinking.
Robbie was one of those people for whom no one said an unkind word. He was known as a man of character and integrity, and like his father, was kind, gentle, and soft-spoken. An introvert, he was meek, humble, yet always attentive, honourable and trustworthy. He was a sports fan – loved watching the Blue-Jays, the Bombers and the Jets. Before he was housebound and while his Dad was still around, he and his Dad and brother Michael played cards together at the Montefiore Club – Robbie was a very good card player.
No matter what, even in time of great suffering, Robbie thought about and did for others. He lived through a terrible illness and he never complained. He was brave, accepting of his fate, and lived with grace and dignity. He was appreciative of even the smallest of gestures and never failed to express his appreciation and thanks. He was a good man, a true ‘mensch’.
Robbie was the ultimate fun-loving uncle, in full contact with his inner child with a panoply of goofy songs and dances. Until the last 5 years, when his disease did not allow him to, he came to family get-togethers, and he was often the hit of the party. He loved the weirdness of life and could not drag himself away from the macabre, from strange and bizarre unsolved mysteries, and the scariest of science fiction movies.
Robbie had a serious side too, where he pondered the wonders of the world and its issues, its randomness and unfairness. He was extremely well read and was more than just a skeptic about the financial world, often expounding, with great perception and clarity, on the greed and disingenuities of markets.
Our family would like to thank the doctors and nurses who helped Robbie over the course of his illness, and the team at MAID who helped him leave this world according to his wishes. We also want to thank Robbie’s many caregivers who helped him live with dignity. Your fondness and care for him, and his for you, is a testament to his kind, gentle, and loving nature. And we want, in particular, to thank those who helped him most, each in different ways, Loree, Aida and Neva. We are sure he will be especially missed by “his group” of close friends for their calls, stories and expressions of sympathy. And of course our heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for his kindness, compassion, and advice leading us through this difficult time and for the beautiful funeral service he led.
We have all been so proud of Robbie and how he has conducted what has been a difficult life. He remained an important part of all our lives through his illness until the end. He was and will remain much beloved and will be much missed. At the end we are sure he was thinking of joining his parents and we want to think they are reunited. For our part, he will remain in our hearts forever. Rest in peace Robbie.
For those so inclined, donations to Parkinson’s Canada (1-888-664 1973), or to Jewish Child and Family Services (204 477-7430) or a charity of your choice, are appreciated.
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
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