Obituaries
SAM KLAPMAN Jan. 10, 1931 – Sept. 12, 2018
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, Sam Klapman.
Sam enjoyed a sweet life, filled with family and friends and he cherished every moment. He was devoted to his wife of 68 years, Ruth. They were the first ones on the dance floor and the last to leave the party. Sam enjoyed and was the patriarch to three more generations: father to Sandi (Sam) Malamud, Marla Bernstein, Hartley Klapman (Drew Salter) and Jody Klapman (Brian Goldberg); grandfather to Andrew (Hilary), Allan, Aaron (Alanna), Jason, Steven (Alexis), Dana, Brady, Carly (Jay), Hanna (Gaby) and Kevin; great-grandfather to Florie; and Uncle Shloim to many nieces and nephews.
Sam began his business career in the garment industry in 1946 and was chairman of MWG Apparel Corp. until his passing. He was a well-known and highly regarded industry innovator; embracing new technology in all aspects of apparel manufacturing.
Sam spent every summer of his life at Winnipeg Beach where he passed the days creating in his wood working studio, cycling and pitching horseshoes. He was loved by many in that town and was known to everyone as Zaidy. He welcomed his children and grandchildren throughout the winters in Palm Springs, where he also enjoyed hiking, golfing and pitching horseshoes.
Sam instilled a strong philanthropic and community spirit in his children and grandchildren and was a great supporter of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Jewish community, Israel, and countless charitable causes.
Sam travelled the world for business and pleasure, and was a passionate fisherman and poker player. He was a devoted friend to his many buddies, who were always there for each other, and he will be missed by those left behind.
Sam was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Fanny Klapman, his brothers and sisters-in-law Harry (Sonia), Meyer (Gladys), Max (Fay), Mickey (Rita) and his sisters and brother-in-law Beverly Demsky, Esther Klapman Bleiberg and Esther (Albert) Goffstein.
Funeral services took place September 14, 2018 at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue followed by interment at Shaarey Zedek Cemetary.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth and Sam Klapman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba at (204) 477-7525.
Obituaries
DR. NORMAN A. GOLDBERG
Dr. Norman Goldberg passed away on January 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He made the world a better place.
Norman was born on April 2, 1948, to Evelyn and David Goldberg, who raised him and his siblings, Harvey and Penny, to work hard to reach their potential. Always an excellent student, he was a finalist on the high school television quiz show “Reach for the Top”, earned his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, and became a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine.
Dr. Goldberg was a beloved physician, known for his compassion, up-to-date knowledge, diagnostic acumen, and endless patience. He embraced the management of complex cases including children with brain injuries, disabilities, HIV, and developmental and adolescent issues. He was a tireless advocate for the children in his care.
He was a university teacher and mentor and received the Dr. Leighton N. Young Distinguished Pediatrician Award. He served on many hospital teams including two decades with the Pediatric Brain Injury team.
Dr. Goldberg was able to calm the children’s fears. He spoke directly to them. He took off his white coat so they would not be afraid. For children with sleep problems, he sometimes dispensed his famous invention: a spray bottle filled with diluted mouthwash which bore an official label with his name, signature, and prescriber number. The label said “Monster Spray – use under the bed as needed”. It worked. (Patent pending)
His volunteer work impacted many. He was a founding director of the Winnipeg Ronald McDonald House. He served in leadership roles in the Manitoba and Canadian Pediatric Societies, the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, the Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba, Planned Parenthood, and many other organizations. He served on two synagogue boards. He helped lead a major project to settle refugees from Darfur.
Norman was a devoted husband, father, and Zaide (grandfather). His 53-year marriage with Marilyn was a loving partnership. They were best friends and each other’s cheerleaders. The dreams of their youth came true.
Norman’s children, Aviva, Amy, and Daniel, were the light of his life. He gave them unconditional love and support. He played with them, comforted them, encouraged them, read to them, and taught them what they needed to thrive. He overruled Marilyn when the children wanted a puppy. He instilled in them a love of Judaism, taking them to synagogue, dressing as Moses for a Passover Seder, blessing them at Shabbat dinners, and celebrating their Bar and Bat Mitzvot. He recently said how blessed he was to see his children become generous, kind, fulfilled adults, all with loving partners. They are his finest legacy.
His grandsons, Sam and Isaac, gave him further joy. Zaide played pranks on them, made them his secret scrambled eggs recipe, and loved every moment spent with them.
Norman will be lovingly remembered by Marilyn, Harvey (Ruth), Penny, Aviva (Greg Di Cresce, Sam and Isaac), Amy (Dan Poxon, Abi and Caleb), Daniel (Hilary Bohn), Frank (Mercedes), Laurie (Lesley), Jerry (Merle); our family, friends, his colleagues and patients.
Our deepest thanks to the many kind people who cared for, comforted and supported Norman and our family both before and after his passing.
Donations in Norman’s memory may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, or a charity of your choice.
Norman was a “gitte neshuma”, a good soul. May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
YETTA LEVIT
With heavy hearts and much love, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Yetta Levit, at the age of 96.
Mom was born on May 6, 1928, into a close-knit orthodox family with three sisters and two brothers. She attended William Whyte School, Talmud Torah night school and St. John’s Tech. During her youth she was involved in Young Judea and was later active in the I.L. Peretz School. She met our dad Jack when she was 18 and they married four years later. They had three children.
Mom had a gift for seeing the good in everybody. Her welcoming smile and the way she truly listened made everyone feel special. She lit up the room with her warm, vivacious personality.
She was young at heart and had an incredible zest for life. Her energy was remarkable. Everything was a new adventure that she couldn’t wait to undertake. Every person was a rich encounter.
Mom had a special love for little children. She effortlessly engaged with them and always made them smile and feel special. Her appreciation for beauty extended to everything in nature. She never missed an opportunity to admire colourful flowers or marvel at a Banyan tree in Hawaii. She taught us to slow down and see the world through her eyes, always pointing out the beauty that surrounded us.
As our family record keeper, she lovingly recorded every detail of our lives. She was unbelievably organized. Once when we asked to find an invoice from her wedding five decades earlier, she located it within minutes.
Theatre and music were a big part of her life. She had season’s tickets to the opera, to MTC, to the ballet and to the symphony. In later years, when illness slowly diminished her mobility and spontaneity, her strength of character and good, calm nature remained. Music comforted her and she attended the Stay Young Club and Gwen Secter.
Mom built a close-knit Jewish home full of Yiddishkeit and Zedakah – her focus always being on keeping the family close. Friday night dinners were very special with all the children and grandchildren gathered around, lighting the shabbat candles. Mom especially enjoyed sharing shabbat and holiday dinners with her siblings. It gave her such pleasure being the hostess at these simchas – she just sparkled!
Mom was a very devoted and loving daughter to her parents, Tybel and Beryl. Her dedication to them as unparallelled, which she demonstrated by caring for them with compassion, patience and unwavering commitment. She also treated our dad’s parents, Velodie and Molly, as her own.
Mom and dad spent 64 wonderful years together until his passing in 2014. She was always there to support Dad’s many creative business endeavours. Her wise counsel helped make everything easier. The saying “behind every great man is a great woman” couldn’t be more true.
Travel was an enjoyable and important part of her life. She loved our family trips where she was excited to expose us to different cultures, different geography and different experiences. She also loved travelling with her siblings and friends.
Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Jack, parents, Tybel and Beryl Minuk, sisters, Molly Lachter (Norman), Clara Zamick (Max), Evie Rosenbaum (Jack) and brothers, Harry Minuk (Annette) and Norman Minuk (Goldie); her parents-in-law. Molly and Velodie Levit and sister-in-law Eva Moser (Leo). She was the last of a very close-knit family.
She is survived by her children, Diane (Raymond), Shelley (Jaye) and Keith (Linda), her grandchildren, Brent (Anna), Tara (Jed), Darren, Hannah, Marina, Vanessa and Natasha and her great-grandchildren, Micah and Ivy and many nieces and nephews.
We are extremely grateful for the kindness and gentleness shown by mom’s wonderful caregivers, many of whom have felt like extended family to us. They are Marga Torres, Terry Cristobal, Nancy Bilibli, Lorenza del Rosario, Sally Magana, Fe Yap, Cathy Tan, Ginah Guaro and Evelyn Dela Cruz.
We also extend special thanks to Dr. Fotti and family friend Dr. Manishen for their genuine compassion and concern.
Pallbearers were Raymond Hall, Darren Hall, Brent Calnitsky, Jaye Miles, Sheldon MInuk and Mark Golub.
Mom lived her life as a beacon of selflessness. Her heart had room for everyone.
Mom, you gave us so much. You taught us to love deeply, to cherish family and family traditions, and to find joy in the simplest things.
You are loved beyond measure. You will be missed. You will be remembered.
Obituaries
JERRY JULIUS MOSCOVITCH
March 5, 1940 – January 2, 2025
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Jerry Moscovitch, beloved husband to Gloria, father in loving memory to son David, daughter Susan and partner Gustavo Lecman, son Dan and wife Melanie Shell, and Zaida to his cherished grandchildren, Darrel Kilburn and partner Sarah Bradley, Taylor Kilburn and partner Ruben Kalra, Michelle Lecman and Ezri, Leila, and Oscar Shell-Moscovitch.
Jerry will also be remembered by his nieces, nephews and cousins in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Jennie (Kankewitt) and Morris Moscovitch, his sister Betty and husband Joe Wohl, his brother Earl and wife Adele Moss and brother Walter Morris, Jerry’s in-laws, Harry Allan and Millicent (Hallis) Adler, brother-in law Aaron Udlar and his nephew Craig Moss.
Jerry lived a full, wonderful life and looking back, he had many accomplishments.
Jerry’s career was dedicated to our youth and their education and to his love of music.
Jerry taught for many years at Churchill High, Hugh John McDonald and at his alma mater St. Johns High. Throughout his career, he shared his love of learning with students teaching Math and Science. Jerry also served as a Guidance Counselor, started and led a school choir at Hugh John McDonald and was a soccer and a volleyball coach and took his team to win the finals three years in a row.
His impact on his students was immeasurable and he will be remembered by them for his unwavering support and encouragement.
In addition to his teaching career, Jerry had many passions. He was the youngest Master of his Masonic lodge, a founding member of the Bnai Brith Yachad Couples group and on the advisory and executive committees of many groups.
Many will remember Jerry for his love of Music and for his amazing singing voice and his stage presence. Jerry was a singer and an entertainer, he was an active participant with the Manitoba Opera for 38 years, the Festival Opera group, the Rosh Pina Synagogue choir, the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue choir, the Rady Sholem Choir, the Macs Chinese choir, the Winnipeg Symphony, the Winnipeg Golden Chordesman for the last 16 years and had also entertained many times at the Simkin Centre, Riverview, Shaftesbury and the Portsmouth Personal Care Homes. Music brought Jerry joy and allowed him to connect with others who shared his passion.
Jerry was always ready for adventure, he never said no to trying something new and loved exploring the world. He enjoyed travelling, going on cruises with Gloria and a group of close friends and spending summers in Gimli. Jerry enjoyed discovering new cuisines but, his all-time favourite was always Chinese food.
Some of his favourite times spent were with family celebrating the high holidays, gathering for dinners and special occasions, watching the Jets and Blue Bombers and his favourite Hudson and Rex on TV and he especially enjoyed when the board games or cards came out.
Time spent with Gloria, his precious children and grandchildren were the special times that Jerry loved the very most.
The legacy of Jerry Moscovitch is one of kindness, generosity and strength. His work, music, love and his contagious smile have left an undeniable mark on all of us – his family, his friends and the countless students whose lives he touched over the years.
While we will deeply miss Jerry, we can take comfort in knowing that the lessons he taught, the love he gave and the spirit he shared will live on in each and everyone of us.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff – Jane, Sara, Cathy, Evelyn, Wenga, Stacey, Jimmy, Ian, etc. on Simkin W 3 and also Esther and Alan for their care and all the smiles well shared.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jerry’s name to the Simkin Centre, (204-589-9027) (for recreation and the love of music), the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue (204-452-3711) or to a designation of your choice.
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