Obituaries
SARA EVA (SUE) WEISS
It is with deep sorrow that our family announces the passing of our dear and beloved mother and grandmother, Sue Weiss, on Wednesday May 29, 2019.
Sue leaves behind her sons, Stephen (Cheryl) and Jerry (Audrey) and her grandchildren, Macey, Jenna, Mallory, Lauren, Josh and Marlee. She is also survived by her brother Sam (Cecil) Victor and her sister, Beverly Potasky and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Sue was born in Winnipeg on May 2, 1932 to Morris and Molly Victor. She attended William Whyte Elementary School and St. John’s Tech High School, receiving her Jewish education at Talmud Torah and I.L. Peretz School.
On June 4, 1950, Sue married Jack Weiss, an orphaned Hungarian Holocaust survivor sponsored to Canada by the Canadian Jewish Congress. Sue and Jack were married until Jack’s passing in February of 2012. Sue was a devoted, loving wife that provided the tireless patience required to manage and care for a deeply traumatized survivor.
Sue found her calling in 1952 when she started working as a secretary for the Talmud Torah Hebrew School. After a brief hiatus from 1954 to 1956 to have her two sons, she returned to the Talmud Torah/Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate to ultimately become the executive secretary. Through the years, Sue became the counselor to the upset student, nurse and chief sliver remover, confidant to the teachers, friend to the caretakers and advisor of school history and protocol to the Rabbi and President. Come 5:00 p.m. and Sue was off with her two boys to clean up the house and prepare a delicious dinner. Summers at Winnipeg Beach and winters in Florida or Arizona, Sue was always up for a good time.
Funeral services were held on Friday May 31, 2019 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Rosh Pina Cemetery. Pallbearers were David Friedman, Yale Shaffer, Ira Kaye, Darrell Sasley, Michael Victor and Sean Shore.
Our family would like to express our sincere heartfelt thanks to Ester Amor, Terry and Oxana and the wonderful staff at the Shaftsbury and Simkin Center. A special thank you to Lisa for her compassion and care to the very end.
Obituaries
Dr. VELIMIR KON B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D. September 18, 1950-June 27, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Velimir Kon, or Shlomo, beloved husband of Branka and father of Deborah and Lea. Velimir was an accomplished teacher and academic, and he was renowned for his intellectualism, humility and humanity.
A gentle soul who was always sociable and who genuinely loved people, Velimir was equally at home in the university classroom as a professor and as a secondary school Biology, Chemistry and Math teacher in Northern Ontario (Big Trout Lake) and Manitoba (God’s River, Berens River). Velimir made a difference to many First Nations students throughout a career that spanned decades. He was dedicated to his students, colleagues and family. An adept and talented pianist, Velimir enjoyed the arts and of course Jewish humour. He was an avid shul goer and supporter of Israel and enjoyed his duties in shul as a Kohayn. Velimir was a man of faith who was able to fuse his love of science and Judaism.
Born in Croatia, Europe (the former Yugoslavia) to Shoah survivors Rose (Rochel, ne Lederer) and Arnold Kon (Ariel), Velimir immigrated to Canada with his wife and girls in 1988, making many personal sacrifices along the way to ensure a peaceful and safe life for his family. Adaptability and optimism characterized Velimir. Known for his heart of gold, Velimir touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A love of Jewish values, family values and life-long learning and education characterized Velimir. With his charming, outgoing and friendly personality, Velimir welcomed everyone into his life and into our home.
His kindness, humour, generosity and goodness will be deeply missed by his family and friends in Winnipeg, Victoria, B.C., Guelph, ON, Osijek, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, Los Angeles and Boston, U.S.A., and Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and Karmiel. Baruch Dayan Haemet.
A traditional funeral was held on June 30, 2025 at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can still be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg, B’nai Brith or the JNF.
Velimir will be forever missed and cherished by Branka, Deborah and Lea.
Obituaries
ELAINE BEVERLEY KAPLAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt, Elaine Kaplan. She died on June 24, just a month shy of her 69th birthday.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 months ago, and was given about six months to live, which she was able to exceed with great courage and determination.
Elaine was predeceased by our father Phil Kaplan and mother Bess Kaplan. She is survived by her brothers Gerry (Nancy Hughes), Allan (Rennie) and Sheldon (Mona), along with her nieces and nephews.
Elaine was able to remain at home up until a few days prior to her passing at the St. Boniface Hospital, which was her wish. She was employed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the majority of her career. She loved nature and was devoted to feeding the neighbourhood squirrels and birds. She also adopted and cared for many rescue rabbits over the years. Her family was important to her, and she loved attending family weddings and barbecues.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a pet rescue of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN KLUNER
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Alan Kluner passed away on July 11, 2025 at the young age of 66. Alan had a very good life despite some ongoing health challenges he met head on for the majority of his life. He loved family and was a very kind and loving son, brother and uncle.
Born in Winnipeg, Alan developed a small but close circle of friends he maintained for many years. His passions were following his sports teams (Jets, Vikings, Bombers) and attending numerous rock concerts.
Alan is survived by his oldest brother Martin (Reesa), his sister-in-law Hanna, his four nephews and nieces Mickey (Stephanie), Corey (Sean), Zev (Kristen), Elana (Danny), and his great-nephews and great-nieces Mason, Lucy, Nora, Remy and Enzo.
He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Phyllis, brother Kerry, and uncle Alvin Mantell.
Alan’s funeral service was graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Tuesday July 15, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were: Martin Kluner, Mickey Kluner, Corey Kluner, Elana Kluner, Henry Goldfeld, and Alan Levine. Honorary pallbearer was Albert Yanofsky.
For those who wish, donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or the charity of your choice.