Obituaries
TANIA DOLOVICH September 5th, 1931 – May 2nd, 2021
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Tania Dolovich (née Fridell) four months shy of her 90th birthday. She is survived by her children Michael (Pat), Allan (Kayla), Jeffrey (Laurie) and Gary (Christa) and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived as well by her sister Miriam, her brother Jerry (Cynthia) and many nieces, nephews and other family members. Tania was predeceased by her parents David and Ruth Fridell, and her husband, Sam Dolovich.
Mom was born in Regina but lived her life in Winnipeg’s North End. She attended St. John’s High School.
Mom was a vibrant, vivacious woman with a strong independent spirit. She was a remarkable mixture of kindness and strength, bold when she needed to be, reticent when the occasion called for it.
Deeply intelligent, a voracious reader, and with a vocabulary few could match, it was near madness to challenge her to a game of scrabble or to try and outdo her in the most complex of crosswords. And yet she always seemed so proud when you put “boat” out on the board to her own word, “existential” (triple word score). When she saw the deep disappointment on your face, she would take pains to point out that luckily she just got some better tiles – the thing is, though, she meant it.
One of Mom’s proudest early achievements was her work with the Junior Chamber of Commerce. She became an integral part of that organization and gained the respect of the people she worked with. She spoke often of her time at the JCC and her face, inevitably, would light up.
Mom met her husband-to-be, Sam, when he rented a room from her parents while he was studying at university. Tania was still living at home and over time she and Sam became increasingly fond of each other.
Tania and Sam married on September 7th, 1952.
Mom and Dad were married for over 50 years and few couples have been as devoted to one another as they were. It is impossible to catalogue even a fraction of their life together as husband and wife, but it is also just as impossible to forget that magical moment when they danced together for hours under the moonlight at Disneyland as the Harry James Orchestra serenaded them with their children looking on.
Between 1957 and 1966 Tania and Sam had four sons together – Michael, Allan, Jeffrey and Gary.
Mom was deeply involved in community theatre and acting generally. She regularly performed in productions at Rainbow Stage, the Warehouse Theatre and MTC. She acted in productions such as The Diary of Anne Frank. She sang with the late Sara Udow and the Rosh Pina Choir, and performed with the Jewish Community Players at the YMHA. She also did commercials for both radio and television and appeared in magazines for companies such as Eaton’s and Simpson Sears. Additionally, she appeared in small roles on CBC Television.
Mom was always so humble about her achievements in the performing arts. She never thought it was a big deal – it was just something she enjoyed. She was, however, very proud of having worked with noted directors John Hirsch and Malka Lerner.
She was the consummate professional, always. And she was always available to help bring out the best performance in other actors.
For many years Mom worked at Alcan-Price Extrusions Ltd., and, in fact, retired from Alcan in 1996 after a long and successful career there, first as a part time secretary, and eventually progressing to become a business administrator with the company. She was dedicated to the company and became the representative major customers such as Loewen Windows and New Flyer came to depend upon.
Mom was devoted to her family and sustained it in the most trying of circumstances. When Dad took ill at a relatively young age, she engaged in Herculean efforts in order to ensure that the family not only survived, but thrived. Life continued unabated. Because of her tireless effort and incessant, heroic advocacy, Dad lived the rest of his life at home with his wife and family. For her sons, school, music lessons, summer vacations at Winnipeg Beach, Gimli and Sandy Hook all became part of the fabric of the family’s memories when by all accounts, given the magnitude of the challenges she was forced to confront, they shouldn’t have been. There was no shortage of other challenges she faced over the years and yet she faced each one with an indomitable spirit. Despite the many demands, she always made each of us believe she had all the time in the world. Mom’s greatest joys were her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
And throughout those years, during both good times and bad, there was always Tania and Miriam. It is difficult to put into words the nature of the relationship between these two sisters. During their younger years they looked so much alike even people who knew them well could have difficulty telling them apart. The fact is, though, they were very different people and yet the bond between them was unbreakable right from childhood to Mom’s last day. To say they were best friends as well as sisters, while true, doesn’t do them justice. They were inseparable.
During her final years Mom continued to be a joyful, musical presence in the lives of all who knew her. You always knew she was happy when you could hear her singing from the elevator.
For some time, a tall, handsome man has been waiting patiently for his dazzlingly beautiful wife to arrive, and together, now each loosened from the physical constraints that bound them in this world, they are free to spend eternity in each others’ arms and dance to the music of Harry James, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey.
The family wishes to extend its deep appreciation for the incredible comfort, care and support she received from the staff of the Simkin Centre.
A graveside funeral service was officiated by Rabbi Anibal Mass on May 5th, 2021 at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Avrom Charach, Howard Kideckel, David Litvack, Liam Pollock, Reese Ratson and Myron Schultz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Simkin Centre or to a charity of one’s choice.
Obituaries
ROSE KNIGHT(nee Yager) MAY 18, 1929 – NOVEMBER 28, 2025
Rose Knight ( nee Yager) passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025 in Winnipeg surrounded by family.
Rose was a petite woman who was larger than life. A firecracker. A personality. A glam queen. And a beauty.
She was born in Drohobych Poland in 1929 and came to Canada in 1934 the age of five. Her story is typical of many people of that era who left Eastern Europe seeking a better life. Her aunt Lena had pioneered the move to Canada as a young woman, later, sponsoring Rose’s father. He arrived first, leaving his wife, Sara, daughters Bess and Rose and son Joe. Through years of hard work, the family saved to reunite in Winnipeg, settling in the north end with humble beginnings on Alfred Avenue until her father and uncle purchased Crust Furrier and moved into anapartment behind the shop.
When she was 18 or 19, she started a job as a secretary where she met her future husband; the boss, “Solomon” (Sol) . She settled into the life of being a married lady and homemaker with three children under the age of five by the time she was 26. She raised three children Paul (Debbie), Marcia (Ira), Alan (Brenda).
Family was everything to Rose. And as in every family, the children, grandchildren Josh (Abby), Michael (Ashley) Sarah (Emmy), Sean (Lana) Sara (David), Sal and great-grandchildren Mikaela, Kendrik, Mila, Saul, Louis, Solomon, and Sonnie were the topping on the cake. Her home included her mother Sara, for years following the early death of Rose’s father.
Family extended to include her three nieces Marla, Maureen and Debbie who lost their mother when they were very young ; with weekly Friday night dinners, sleepovers, and weekends. When her brother Joe remarried, the family grew to include his additional family of Edith, Jerry, Libby and Mardy. Rose’s sister Bess Hendler (Dave) and family, Marvin and Mark, moved to Los Angeles. The distance did not diminish the closeness between the families which included travel for visits regularly and for all family celebrations. Rose was also very close with Sol’s sisters Adele Borg (Willie) until their early passing and sister Ruth Silverberg (Stan) and Joe; and including multiple generations of Sol’s uncles, aunts and cousins who resided in Toronto.
Rose was a brilliant cook as were her mother and sister. The three of them were to food what the three tenors were to music. They created a culture of food in her home long before there was such a thing as ‘foodies’ . Rose was the inspiration and food teacher to her daughter, nieces, and grandson. Her home was always open and included family and friends; friends of the children, friends of the grandchildren and friends of the friends of the children and the grandchildren. Or simply put there was always room for one more at the table.
Rose was deeply involved community. Rose and Sol were founding partners of their synagogue,the Herzlia-Adas Yeshuran, and its day school.
Rose served as president of the sisterhood, organized, fundraisers, and participated in synagogue theatre productions. She was involved in both Hadassah and ORT organizations and the community outreach programs.
Rose was beloved in the family neighbourhood of Niagara Street where children played outside from dawn until dusk in community shared yards. She was a fixture calling for the children to come in for bedtime and supper and fostered the close-knit community of neighbourhood and outdoor play.
Rose was passionate about beauty and culture. She loved fashion, makeup, design, tableware, music, movies, all things Broadway and art. She had opened an art gallery on Selkirk Avenue and when the gallery closed she worked at the Eaton’s art gallery on the seventh floor. She loved people, their stories and laughter.
Rose was flirtatious and uplifting. She brightened vibes with compliments like. ‘you are gorgeous’ to those around her. She embodied values of family, community, generosity, and joy, echoing the values and teachings from Pirkei Avot ‘If I am not for myself, who am I? If I am only for myself what am? If not now, when?’ Rose was an inspiration in these ways and more.
Sadly dementia robbed her of her life. There are two deaths with dementia. The death of a personand later the death of the body.
Rose was pre-deceased by her beloved husband Sol, her parents, Sara and Morris Yager, both her’s and Sol’s siblings.
We are thankful to Rose’s dedicated caregivers over the years, including most recently Liza, Odette, Antonio, the staff at the Shaftsbury and Simkin Centre and the doormen at 180 Tuxedo for their early support.
Donations in Rose’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice, or suggested to the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s Sol and Rose Knight Fund, which honours Rose’s passions for art, culture, music, beauty and Jewish life.
Obituaries
Charlton Gavriel Garland
August 10, 1984 – January 14, 2026
Beloved and devoted husband of Katrina Bittner, proud and loving father of Logan, Mia, and Luke
Son of Marshall and Gail Garland
Son-in-law to Norbert and Carolyn Bittner
Brother to Gideon (Bracha), Matthew (Leah), and Josepha (Adam)
Uncle, nephew, cousin, Charlton Gavriel, z”l, loved his family and loved being with family and friends. Many people commented on his big welcoming smile, good humour and non-judgmental attitude, his tendency from early childhood to help out, how he stood up against bullying, and how much fun it was to be with him. Day camp, picnics, Purim carnivals, Shabbatons benefited. Bartender, then shift supervisor at the Green Brier were on-the-job steps towards his dream of owning his own bar.
Charlton Gavriel’s family was everything to him. Nothing was as dear to him as spending time with his wife and children. His biggest distress was inability to take care of them. He endured so much to keep going as long as he could. They were his greatest love.
These last five years have been very difficult, at times very hopeful and at times almost unbearable with the pain of each chemo, each side effect, and ever increasing weakness.
Sincere thanks for all the love, prayers, anecdotes, photos, things that made us all laugh during these long years.
Heartfelt thanks to far-flung family, to all who came to visit, who helped make visits possible, who ensured Charlton Gavriel, z”l, was surrounded with love and support to the end. He was awake, aware, and acknowledging during his final hours. He passed painlessly and at peace, for which we all are very grateful.
Special thanks to JCFS, Auntie Michelle, and the staff at Concordia Hospital and at Riverview.
Special thanks to Rabbi Altein, Rabbi Benarroch, Rabbi Charytan, and Rabbi Heidingsfeld.
Pallbearers:
Gideon, Marshall, Matthew, and Max Garland
Daniel Saidman
Kas Kuropatwa
Those wishing to help support Charlton Gavriel’s, z”l, family can be in touch with Katrina, Marshall, or Gail for details on how to donate.
Gavriel Garland, you made the world a wonderful place.
Obituaries
SAMUEL SEARLE October 29, 1930 – December 1, 2025
Our dear father, Sam, passed away on December 1, 2025, after a long, rich life of 95 years.
Dad shared almost 67 of those years with our dear mother, his beloved wife, Betty, who predeceased him in April of 2024. Sam was also predeceased by his parents, Dora and David Cirulnikov; three of his four older sisters, Bernice Brownstone, Marion Toffick, Luba Sitchin, and their respective spouses; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Doreen and Garry Shapera.
He is survived by his children Sharna, Lorne (Barbara) and Beverlee (Barry); grandchildren Evan, Aaron, Jamie and Matthew; sister Eve Blank; many nieces and nephews who adored him and for whom he was Uncle Sammy; several cousins; and many friends and former colleagues. All delighted in his company.
Sam was the youngest and only son in a family of five children. His parents emigrated from Russia in the late 1920s with his three oldest sisters. Eve was born shortly after they arrived in Canada and Sam in 1930. The family lived in Winnipeg’s North End and Sam attended public schools and the Talmud Torah night school. During the summers, and part-time throughout the years while continuing his education, he worked as a short order cook at both the Silver Grill Restaurant and Arcade Deli. Dad made his legendary, piled-high sandwiches into his eighties!
After graduating high school from St. John’s Tech, Sam was accepted into the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba, and ultimately went on to enjoy a very accomplished career as a partner with MMP, a major local architectural firm, and later, as a founding partner/developer with Duraps Corporation and Pine Hill Development Corp. In a career that spanned almost half a century, Sam made his mark on the landscape of Winnipeg and other North American cities, having been involved in the design and construction of private residences, schools, concert halls, fire halls, university and government buildings, and the development of condominiums, residential subdivisions, shopping centres and industrial land.
In addition to his professional life, Sam was also a dedicated community volunteer. A long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg North, Dad was awarded Rotary International’s highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellow medallion, for his contributions and service to the organization. He also served on the board of the Rosh Pina Synagogue for several terms and was a charter member of the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club.
Dad was also a talented, and ambidextrous, artist, a curler, green thumb, dapper dresser and terrific dancer. He and Betty always lit up a dance floor!
Sam shared a wonderfully rich family life with Betty. Married in 1957, they moved four years later into the mid-century modern masterpiece that Sam designed for them in Garden City (a then new, north end Winnipeg neighbourhood) and in which they remained throughout their entire marriage. The house magically expanded and contracted as needed and saw its share of fabulous parties, Passover Seders and a multitude of family simchas and other joyous gatherings. As parents, they were loving, excellent role models who encouraged strong family connections. As grandparents, Zaida Sam and Bobbie Betty were the best – adoring, proud, involved and a lot of fun!
Locally, Sam and Betty enjoyed attending the symphony, chamber music and jazz concerts, the opera, the Folk Festival and the theatre. Their worldly travels took them to Mexico, Israel, China, Cuba, Europe, the Caribbean and North American camping trips and ski holidays. Closer to home, their cottage in Gimli (Loni Beach), MB, was a focal point for family and friends every summer.
Our father was a man of unwavering integrity, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a generosity of spirit. Respected and respectful, Sam Searle was a great guy, a real mensch. He will be deeply missed.
The last year and four months of Dad’s life were spent at the Simkin Centre. Sharing an ice cream and a smile, singing with him, particularly at the “Friday Night Lights” Shabbat service, were precious moments.
Sam passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital. We are grateful for the care and kindness provided by the staff at both institutions. A heartfelt thank you, as well, to Sharon Merrells, the ultimate “Sam whisperer,” for her years of care and dedication, especially over those last challenging 16 months.
The graveside funeral service, held on December 4, 2025, at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, was warmly officiated, on a freezing morning, by Rabbi Kliel Rose. The pallbearers were grandchildren Evan, Aaron and Jamie Searle and Matthew Pearl, son-in-law Barry Pearl and great nephew Gavin Shapera.
Donations may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s “Betty & Sam Searle Memorial Fund” or to a charity of your choice.