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
BARBARA GOSZER April 15, 1930 – October 6, 2024
It is with profound sadness along with gratitude for her long and purposeful life that we announce the passing of Barbara Goszer. Left with cherished recollections are her children Sharon (Steven Tritt), Elliott (Jennifer Schulz), her grandchildren Sam (Justine), Joseph (Shaun), Nicholas, Sarah, Jack and Max, and her great-grandchildren Carson and Callie. She also leaves to mourn her passing nieces Hilda (Len), Debbie (Jack), Libby (Doug) and their families who loved their “Aunty” dearly. She was predeceased by “the love of her life”, Adam, to whom she was married for almost 60 years and by a daughter, Yonah.
Barbara was born in Lwow, Poland where she often said she had an idyllic childhood until 9 years of age, when the Second World War and the Holocaust started. She was the sole survivor of her family, having been hidden by a courageous woman whom she had honoured as The Righteous Among the Nations and whose descendants sought her out in 2013, forming a warm connection over the past decade.
Barbara was a petite but strong, opinionated, principled woman with an extraordinary sense of social justice, a remarkable work ethic, and the deepest of loyalty. She lived with intention. As a living witness to a time in history when inhumanity was at its height, she spent decades dedicated to educating school aged children and their teachers throughout Manitoba and other parts of Canada about the dangers of discrimination and intolerance of diversity. She advocated standing up for others and taking action despite fear. She also encouraged appreciation for freedom and having a roof over one’s head. Her legacy will inspire her family members as well as generations of children to make a difference in bettering the world we live in. She dreamed of a world free of hatred and of a bright future.
Thank you to Dr. Sheila Domke, her primary care physician, to the entire health care team on 4 North at Grace Hospital, and to her many caregivers in the past couple of years who treated her with the utmost of dignity and respect.
Funeral services were held graveside at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on October 8, 2024. Those wishing to honour her memory can do so by making a donation to the “Barbara and Adam Goszer Holocaust Education Centre Endowment Fund” at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
BARBARA RUTH HOCHMAN June 7, 1952 – September 16, 2024
t is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Hochman on Monday, September 16, 2024. Barbara was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the first child born to Clarice and Jack Rubin. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Danny, mother Clarice, sister Jackie (Akman), brother Ron (Rubin), brother-in-law Mickey Hochman (Dorine), nephew Jared Akman (Leanne), niece Jamie Berman (Skyler) and great-nieces and nephew, Lowan, Julie, Shea and Hannah. Barb was predeceased by her father Jack Rubin and brother-in-law Richard Akman. Barbara grew up in River Heights, attending Grant Park High School, then continued her studies at the University of Manitoba. On her first day of university she met Danny and they were married two years later. Barbara began working as a secretary at the law firm Aikins, MacAulay and Thorvaldson, and then advanced to become a corporate and commercial paralegal. She returned to law school while working at AM&T, and eventually became a partner at the firm. Barbara excelled at everything she put her mind to. She was beautiful, stylish and fiercely intelligent. Barb courageously fought her first battle with cancer over 30 years ago. Since then she enjoyed life to the fullest. Barb was a loving and devoted wife, an amazing sister and an extremely generous aunt and great-aunt. She and Danny moved from Winnipeg to Kelowna 15 years ago where they escaped Winnipeg winters and saw their golf games flourish. Barbara will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held to celebrate Barbara’s life on September 20, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jared Akman, Jamie Berman, Skyler Berman, Brent Knazan, David Rubin and Danny Rubin.
Obituaries
AVISHY SHUMELEY
It is with profound sadness I announce the passing of my beloved husband Avi. A graveside service was held on Sept 29, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held