Obituaries
RUTH CHARACH
After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s our beloved Ruth Charach passed away on the first day of Passover, Saturday, April 16, 2022. Interment was held on Tuesday, April 19.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of over 65 years, Barney, her children, Gayle (Mark), Lori-Sue (Yisrael) and Avrom (Fayanne) who all miss her deeply and her brother Ralph Katzman. As well she leaves to mourn her grandchildren, Ayah, Eliana (Avner), Rivka (Rotem), Zushia, Chana Mindel (David), Yehuda Yoseph, Ariel, Carli and Taylor as well as seven great-grandchildren in Israel.
Ruth was the epitome of an Eshet Chayil, a Woman of Valour whose Jewish values defined many of her decisions – including ensuring that her children had strong Jewish educations and were rooted in Yiddishkeit. She was consumed with self-sacrifice in her effort to always nurture others. Whether it was taking in newcomer Israelis or Argentinians who came to Winnipeg with no family of their own or the many organizations who benefited from her volunteerism (National Council of Jewish Women, Talmud Torah PTA, Chai Folk Ensemble, Folklorama’s Israel Pavilion, Jewish Child and Family Service, Parents of North Americans in Israel and the Rosh Pina Sisterhood to name a few), Ruth is remembered as being the one who took care of everyone. Seders and other holiday feasts were filled with multicultural visitors and people with nowhere else to celebrate. And of course, her and Barney’s home had an open door always for her children’s many friends, and even the occasional high school class who needed a cool place for a lesson when it was too hot outside. Ruth was a mother to so many, not biologically born to her but loved all the same.
Shiva will be observed at her daughter Gayle’s home on 199 Oakdean Blvd. in Woodhaven from Sunday, April 24 to Thursday, April 28. Visitors are welcome from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Evening services will be held at the home.
In lieu of donations, the family kindly asks for donations to be made to Folklorama or the Charach Family fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
The family gratefully thanks Ruth’s caregivers, Reita and Levi who treated her like a mother over the last five years and the staff of Unit 6E at St. Boniface Hospital who watched over her for her final weeks.
“You blew us kisses, Mom – and we grasped onto every one – and returned them, with the full strong hearts that were and always will remain filled with you. Tee-hi-yeh meesh-ka-veych shalom.”
(May she rest in peace)
Obituaries
KEVIN PAUL STEINBERG June 1, 1967 – October 29, 2025
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Kevin Steinberg (O’Neil) on October 29, 2025 at the age of 58 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be forever remembered by his mom Donna, sister Debbie (Marc), brother Jeff (Jocelyn), nieces and nephews, Josh (Dena), Zach, Samantha (Sean), Jaidyn, Jordyn, Jilliyn, Jayson and great-nephew Benny, his aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends across Winnipeg, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs and beyond. Kevin was predeceased by his dad Eddie and stepdad Ernest.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kevin moved to Toronto at 19 years of age. He attended Ryerson Theatre School and quickly earned his Equity and ACTRA cards. After winning the U.S. Green Card Lottery he moved to Los Angeles. Within a couple of years he appeared on Seinfeld, Frasier, Married with Children and more. He later worked behind the scenes in TV and film. Kevin also had a great job in catering and told fun stories of the famous people he worked for in L.A.
In 2006 Kevin returned home to Winnipeg, where he continued acting and design. He later moved back to Toronto to join a design firm. It was there he was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare head and neck cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Kevin lived fully – auditioning, writing and travelling. During COVID he launched a podcast – Everyday Heroes. He also shared cooking videos, learned to sketch and kept creating. Kevin thrived, inspiring everyone around him with his resilience, humour and zest for life. Kevin always lived “in the moment”, he embraced life as it came. He will be remembered for his creativity, humour, courage and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Hochman, CancerCare Manitoba, Lisa and the whole team at Palliative Care, Rabbi Matthew Leibl, Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and MAID.
Kevin requested that donations be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation www.accrf.org
Obituaries
Howard Lorne Tennenhouse March 7, 1956 – October 16, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Howard (Howie) Lorne Tennenhouse. He passed away on October 16, 2025, after a courageous ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Howie fought with every ounce of strength and determination he had.
Born on March 7, 1956, Howie earned his BA from the University of Winnipeg in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979. While attending the University of Manitoba, he met his devoted partner, Susan. After dating for five years they were married on November 14, 1982. Susan and Howie supported one another throughout their life together, and she stood by his side with unwavering devotion until the very end.
Howie was the proud father of three daughters and sons-in-law, Lauren (Jesse), Ellie (Evan), and Shira (Gideon) and the adoring Zaida How, to Jack, Joey, Charlotte (Charlie), and Brandon (Bran). He is also survived by his two sisters, Judy Mahon (and her family) and Penny Tennenhouse (Bill). Howie’s family was his greatest joy and the center of his world, and to his family he was a fierce protector and the most enthusiastic supporter.
Outside of his love for family, Howie’s heart belonged in Israel. He took immense pride in seeing the love of Israel and Jewish traditions passed down from his parents to his children and grandchildren.
Howie’s funeral was held on Sunday , October 19, 2025 at the Etz Chayim Synagogue with burial at the Rosh Pina Cemetery. Thank you to Rabbi Kliel Rose and to the pallbearers Morley Hoffman, Alden Hoffman, Joey Pollock, Harvey Oman, Evan Reinblatt, and Jesse Marantz. A big thank you to the doctors at Cancer Care Manitoba who worked tirelessly to care for Howie, and the incredible team at the Riverview Palliative Ward. A special heartfelt thank you to Dr. Qamar for her devotion to Howie. Your care and kindness meant the world to the entire family.
Donations in Howie’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or to Riverview Palliative Care Ward 3E.
Howie was a passionate, loving, and larger-than-life presence. He will always be missed and never forgotten.
Obituaries
HARRY KREEL April 9, 1927 – October 20, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Harry Kreel announces his passing on October 20, 2025 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Rebecca Kreel; his brothers, Isadore and Boris Kreel; and his beloved wife Myrna, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Eileen; his son Darrell (Nicole); and his grandson Benjamin Kreel.
Harry was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in his early 20s. He spent his career in education. He was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division, Principal of R.B. Russell Vocational School and he also taught in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Our parents loved to travel, and throughout their lives they travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Upon his retirement, he and our mother were able to spend many wonderful winters in Palm Springs, as well as many visits to New York to visit family. The highlight for them was their trip to Israel, which was something they had always wanted to do, and they did.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Rabbi Carney Rose for officiating and for delivering a most beautiful and heartfelt service.
To the pallbearers, you know who you are, and we would like to thank you for being there for our father. We would also, at this time, like to thank the wonderful staff of Weinberg I at the Simkin Centre. You treated our father with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity and compassion, and for that we will be forever grateful. And last but certainly not least, to Sheryl, Tia, and Victoria Levine, to Leslie Stokoloff and Joe Lacey, we will be forever grateful for all your love and support during this most difficult time.
Should anyone so desire, donations may be made in our father’s memory to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or CancerCare Manitoba.