Obituaries
SYLVIA POSNER
Sylvia Posner (née Shaw) was born on August 29th, 1926 to Dorthea and Morris Shaw in Edmonton, Alberta. They moved to Montreal a few years after that. She had 2 brothers: Marcus Shaw (z”l) and Harvey, who resides in Toronto. Sylvia Shaw Posner was a remarkable woman and had a full and long life, ending at age 95.
Sylvia was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Edward Neil Posner. Eddie and Sylvia met in Montreal and fell in love at first site. They quickly got engaged and moved to Winnipeg where Sylvia was immediately embraced by the Posner family.
The first thing you would notice about Sylvia was her true beauty. In her youth she was a woman that you would pick out of a crowd. Part of that might have been her flaming red hair. She was eye catching. But beyond her exterior appeal, she had genuine inner beauty. Anyone who knew her would agree with that statement. She had the best sense of humour and would laugh so hard that it was contagious. She used that humour to deal with many difficult situations in her life. This ability to laugh, even at herself, was just so much a part of who Sylvia was.
Of course, who could forget Sylvia the baker? She was a legend in her time! In today’s world, she certainly would have been an “influencer”. Sylvia must have served thousands of Winnipeggers.
Warm, kind, jovial, cheerful, but most of all – generous of soul. Those qualities sum up Sylvia. I know she had not been well for the last few years and yet my memories are of a fun-loving woman, down to earth and genuinely interested in her family’s welfare and life.
Sylvia was a wonderful homemaker while raising her 5 children. She had the heart of an artist and expressed herself through her many hobbies, including painting, reading, crosswords puzzles, cards, and any and all games.
Sylvia supported Eddie though many business endeavors, including: the Sildor Banquet Hall, Pal Joeys Deli, Lords Furniture, Posner Furniture & Refinishing, PM Scientific Fur Dying and Cleaning – just to name a few.
After Eddie’s passing, Sylvia moved to The Portsmouth Retirement Centre, where she lived for many years – and continued to bake her famous poppyseed cinnamon cake for the residents and staff. As time went on and her dementia progressed, she moved to the Simkin Centre.
Sylvia will be sorrily missed by her 5 children: Miles Posner and his partner Cynthia Schindler of Toronto, Cynthia Posner and partner Greg Rusk of Winnipeg,, Stephen Posner of California, Alex Posner and partner Michelle of Winnipeg, and Matthew Posner and his wife Brenlee of Michigan.
Sylvia’s 9 grandchildren are: Jonathan Meltzer (Sean) of North Carolina, Megan Meltzer of Winnipeg, Melissa Posner (Mitchell) of Toronto, Jordan Posner of Toronto, Zachary Posner of Calif., Jacob Posner, of Calif, Jonah Posner of Winnipeg, Caleb Posner of Michigan and Sarah Posner of Minneapolis. She also had many nieces and nephews.
Sylvia taught all of us what true love is. She loved unconditionally. Her house provided a safe place for her kids and all their friends, nieces nephews, cousins, and anyone else who just needed a hug, some cheesecake and acceptance.
A private funeral was held at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park on Monday March 28th. Pallbearers were: Jonathan Meltzer, Benji Carroll, Jonah Posner, Greg Rusk, Les Rykiss, and Brian Segal.
Thank you to the caring and wonderful staff at the Simkin Centre and a very special thank you to Conception (Shawna) Laoag. Conception looked after Sylvia for years, made her feel loved and cared for, and loved her like she was her own mother.
Donations in her honour can be sent to the Simkin Centre.
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.
Obituaries
ROSALYN GOLFMAN (née LINHART)
Rosalyn Golfman (née Linhart) passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Winnipeg to Jack and Clara Linhart, Roz and her brother Sam grew up with a deep appreciation for education, music, and community. Her father, along with her mother who was an accomplished singer and performer in Jewish plays and on radio, instilled in her a deep appreciation for both hard work and family traditions. The tragedy of the Holocaust, which claimed the majority of her mother’s immediate family, profoundly shaped Rosalyn’s outlook on life, nurturing in her a strong sense of identity, resilience, and commitment to her Jewish heritage.
Growing up in a home filled with music, the aromas of traditional cooking, and the warmth of family celebrations, Roz developed a lifelong connection to her roots. Her devotion to the Jewish community continued throughout her life as she volunteered and chaired various programs at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and served as a member of the National Council of Jewish Women.
Education was one of Rosalyn’s greatest passions. She earned her B.A., M.Ed., a Ph.D. in Psychology, and a Masters in Family Therapy. As a clinical psychologist, Roz worked for 43 years dedicating her career to helping others. Rosalyn also served as President of the Manitoba Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Chair of its Ethics Committee and taught at various times at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, and at Red River Community College.
Rosalyn’s greatest devotion was to her husband of more than 60 years, Charles (Chuck) Golfman. Together they traveled the globe and shared a lifetime of love and adventure. Their mutual curiosity led them to explore new places, lectures and forums, always seeking to expand their understanding of people and the world around them. Roz and Chuck raised three children – Jeff (Helen Huang), Lisa (Steve Kroft) and Jill (Mark Kantor). Her grandchildren – Angela, Nathan, Alex and Maya – were her greatest joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them, whether during family dinners, at her beloved Clearwater Bay, or on family trips. Rosalyn’s brother Sam (Judy) was a constant source of support, and the times Roz and Chuck spent with Sam and Judy in Phoenix and Aspen were always highlights for her. Family events with nieces, nephews, her numerous cousins and other relatives were also very special for Roz.
Rosalyn will be remembered for her compassion, intellect and unwavering devotion to family, her friends, and her Jewish faith. The values she instilled in her family will endure through them.
The family wishes to thank the many friends who supported Roz with gentleness, dignity and love. Thank you also to Dr. Marshall Pitz, Kim Paradoski and the caring and talented doctors and caregivers at CancerCare Manitoba and Grace Hospital who assisted Rosalyn and our family during this difficult journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rosalyn and Chuck Golfman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.