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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.

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Obituaries

Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website

Joan HargraveChana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina14/07/195301/06/202616 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Irwin Barry StrongerYitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila16/09/194131/05/202615 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
David Ivan CohenDavid Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba06/06/195630/05/202614 Sivan 5786Hebrew Sick Benefit CemeteryMore Info
Phyllis Maxine HochmanTziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther31/12/194030/05/202614 Sivan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Alvin Murray ZivotAvraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam03/08/193127/05/202611 Sivan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Tova VickarTova bat Nachum v’Yenta24/08/194922/05/20266 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Karen LeipsicChaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel03/04/194421/05/20265 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Phyllis Lee DanaFayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya05/10/193617/05/20261 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Betty Brina SimonBayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam27/07/193515/05/202628 Iyar 5786Hebrew Sick Benefit CemeteryMore Info
Basia Bayla FliegelBayla bat Leib31/05/193013/05/202626 Iyar 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Harold DiamondTzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana04/12/193512/05/202625 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Gary RayburnGershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha21/09/196509/05/202622 Iyar 5786Bnay Abraham CemeteryMore Info
Ray SchnoorRaizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel13/06/192705/05/202619 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Gila Ruth FainsteinRachel bat Kiva v’Leah25/06/193504/05/202614 Iyar 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Toby SchwartzChaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana16/07/193201/05/202614 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Rachel WolmanRachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka03/02/196224/04/20267 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Leah GitlinLaya bat Yosef v’Frayda04/09/192608/04/202621 Nisan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Lin Joseph RosenbaumYosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah17/10/195206/04/202619 Nisan 5786Hebrew Sick Benefit CemeteryMore Info
Norman SteinNachum ben Avraham v’Chaya10/06/193206/04/202619 Nisan 5786Bnay Abraham CemeteryMore Info
Marvin Saul SilverMenachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel20/11/194105/04/202618 Nisan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Kimberley Dawn KirshenbaumIsabella bat Avraham v’Sarah09/12/196903/04/202617 Nisan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Walter GanetskyZev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah23/09/194002/04/202615 Nisan 5786Bnay Abraham CemeteryMore Info
Lorelei Camille LavittRachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa11/04/193626/03/20268 Nisan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Melvin MyersMoshe ben Chaim v’Rachel24/04/193624/03/20267 Nisan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info

To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/

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Obituaries

ALVIN M. ZIVOT August 3, 1941 – May 28, 2026

Alvin Murray Zivot, aged 94, died at home on May 28, 2026. He was a blessing in life for all of us who loved and admired him, and his memory will always be a blessing. Born in Winnipeg in 1931, he was too young to join the fight against fascism in Europe. He was a Jewish man willing to be counted and counted on.

Alvin dedicated his life to his loving family, close lifelong friends, and the community. He was an unceasingly devoted son to Jack and Lil, loving brother to Gerry and Bernice, loyal and loving husband to Ruby and then Libby, supportive, proud, and affectionate father to Paula and Gary, Eric and Jill, and Joel and Jennifer, and doting Zaida to Sam, Olivia, Solomon, Tovah, Eli, and Lilly. He is survived by his sister-in-law Zoe Piper and her husband Julian Piper.

Alvin enjoyed a long career as a skilled lawyer with an attention to detail and a sterling reputation. He wore his Queens Council recognition with honor. Alvin was more naturally a mediator and consensus builder than an adversary. He was the first chief justice of the Manitoba Landlord-Tenant tribunal. After many years of distinction, he pivoted to running elections for the Manitoba Metis Foundation.

In retirement, he shifted to philanthropy, big and small. He was a serious man who loved to laugh and delighted in those around him. He was the most loyal friend and showed up to provide support in the most difficult situations. He loved his wife Libby, who preceded him in death in 2009. For all who saw the way he looked at her and adored her, it would make anyone know that true love and marriage were real.

Space does not permit the mention of so many people whom he valued and who valued him. He will be buried next to his wife, Libby, and for all of us, we were blessed for the time we had with him. We will miss him for all the days of our lives.

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Obituaries

PHYLLIS LEE DANA October 5, 1936 – May 17, 2026

Phyllis Lee Dana came into the world on October 5, 1936, and left it peacefully at home in her sleep on May 17, 2026. Predeceased by her parents Maurice “Lippy” Benson Lipson and Ida “Billie” Lipson née Cohen, she is survived by her husband of over 71 years, Nathan Dana, their children Karen (Harry Havey) and Marshall (Andrea Miller), grandchildren Jessee (Nathaniel) and Josh Havey, her younger brother Edward Lipson (Carol), nephews Michael (Ceren) and Daniel (Doree), beloved cousins, many lifelong friends, and the hundreds who fondly remember her as their kindergarten teacher, “Mrs. Dana”.

An exceptionally talented singer and performer from a young age, she gave up a scholarship to study opera at New York City’s Curtis Institute of Music to marry and start a family with her true love and best friend, Nate – a decision she never regretted for a moment. As expressive and animated off the stage as she was on it, Phyllis was a pillar in Winnipeg’s Jewish community, known for her nearly 30 years of teaching in the Jewish day school system, as a vocal soloist and synagogue choir member, and as an active member of several community organizations.

Phyllis offered a receptive warmth and curiosity to all she met, possessed a keen intellect and a sharp wit, was a gifted writer, poet, and storyteller, prolific baker, voracious reader, lover of butterflies, and made a mean brisket.

Despite being 89 years old, her passing was still unexpected by the remarkable family, community, and legacy she leaves behind, and she will forever be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Because you loved to write in rhyme / Your words so thoughtful and divine / Here’s some for you, straight from the heart / Now from us you’ve had to depart / We cannot thank you near enough / For what you were to all of us / For teaching us to love and sing / And all those children all those things / For how to best articulate / And speak the things most think (not say) / Your voice forever will live on / In stories, teachings, and in song / Your work is done, the time has come / For you to rest, our precious one / Your memory a blessing be, Love you forever, 

Phyllis Lee!

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