Obituaries
SOLOMON (ZALMAN) MASARSKY
Sol was born in Winnipeg on December 4th, 1925 and passed away on June 29th, 2020 at the Grace Hospital with family by his side. His funeral was held on July 1st, 2020 and was meaningfully conducted by Tracy Kasner Greaves.
Sol was a very hard-working and independent man. He had a great sense of humour and was well liked by all he came in contact with.
He loved his beautiful farm in Stony Mountain, a short commute from the city, where we lived. We have fond memories of celebrations, BBQ’s, hayrides, cycling, and walks. Dad served as the large animal zookeeper for the municipality and we literally had a menagerie of unclaimed lost animals including a Shetland pony and a billy goat. Although a busy guy with the farm operation, he made sure we attended the Red River Ex every summer. He loved all manner of mechanical things including skidoos and dune buggies. Our dad had a zest for life!
In his later years, he regularly attended Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre for exercise and social activities. He discovered that many of the friends he made at Gwen Secter found their way to the Simkin Centre, where he lived for five years. When he lost his ability to walk, he did not despair, he got wheels and motored everywhere on his electric wheelchair. He was a regular at Shabbat Services and joyfully participated in recreation activities. He tenderly watered his tomato plants daily in the home garden. Dad received care that made a difference from many, including Sara, Cheryll, Olga(s), Gemma, Manny, Joey, Salfie, Connie, and others.
Sol is predeceased by his wife, Marion, and son Mark. He leaves behind his children – Harold, Rochelle (Ed), Nancy (Laurie), Gail, and Earl (Linda), and grandchildren – Katie, Carly, Alex, and Anna.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).