Obituaries
RONALD (RUBIE) POLINSKY March 5, 1929- July 16, 2023
Peacefully on Sunday, July 16, 2023, surrounded by his family, Ronald (Rubie) Polinsky passed away at 94 years of age. Rubie was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis (2016), parents Ida and Sam Polinsky, brother Dave Polinsky, sister Blumie Portnoy, sister-in-law Betty Polinsky, and brother-in-law Iser Portnoy.
He will be greatly missed by his daughter Sandra (Walter), son Max (Donna), grandchildren Daniel (Allison), Mia (Julian), Amy (Johnny), Marc (Devin), Paul (Katie), his great-grandchild, Eli as well as many nieces and nephews.
Rubie was born and lived his entire life in Winnipeg. He grew up in the north end, attending Peretz and Machray schools, graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949.
Rubie carried on his parents’ tradition of supporting, volunteering, and giving his resources to the Jewish community. Rubie was also active in the Rotary Club and a board member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
In 1950, Rubie entered the family business, City Machinery. In April 1951, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Geller. Later that year his father died, leaving Rubie and Dave to run the company for roughly 40 years.
Rubie was a man who loved people. He had no ego, never taking the spotlight or wanting credit for anything. He acted from the goodness of his heart, always caring, and trying to help others. Rubie didn’t guide us with words of wisdom. He taught us through his actions.
Rubie miraculously survived a horrific plane crash in 1964. He went on to live a full life, extending kindness and making a difference in the lives of the people he touched.
Rubie had an adventurous side that led him to travel to places far and wide. He was a maverick, travelling to the Orient for business in the 1960s long before it was commonplace.
Rubie had many passions. He loved Asian food and sought out the latest new restaurants. He was a boater all his life and spent many hours on Lake Winnipeg, no matter how rough the lake was. He loved golf and would recount every shot he took with his buddies after completing a round.
He was also passionate about music. In his teens, Rubie learned to play trumpet by ear. He couldn’t read a note! Later in life, he and Phyllis went on jazz cruises and spent many nights spinning jazz records with close friends.
Finally, his main passion was his wife, Phyllis. Rubie spied a beauty while sitting in front of Kelekis on Main St. and asked, “Who is that girl?”. They were inseparable from that point on.
We are most grateful to Tess Padilla and Hilda Perez for caring for Rubie with love and kindness. They also provided exceptional care for his siblings Dave and Blumie. Rubie appreciated and felt deep gratitude for you both.
We wish to thank Rubie’s nephew Martin Simmons for his constant support, especially as his health declined.
Thank you to the formidable staff at The Simkin Centre for the compassionate support and care during the last months of Rubie’s life.
The funeral was held on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, eloquently presided over by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Daniel Polinsky, Mia Francl, Marc Francl, Walter Francl, Susan Portnoy, and Martin Simmons.
If desired, contributions in memory of Rubie Polinsky will be gratefully accepted by the “Phyllis and Ronald Polinsky Fund” at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or a charity of your choice.
Rest in peace, Dad. We will all miss you.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.