Obituaries
THE HONOURABLE CHARLES NATHAN RUBIN
The Honourable Charles N. Rubin passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022, at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, surrounded by his family, at the age of 89.
He was born October 23, 1932, in Fort William, Ontario, the son of Sam and Yhetta Rubin (nee Dodyk) who immigrated from Poland in the 1920s. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Max (Blanche), and his sisters, Dorothy Levine (Morris “Moishe”) and Loraina Rubin. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Naida (nee Fingard); his children, Benee, Greg (Jenny), Laurie and Adam (Sarah); and his grandchildren, Brynn, Chelsea, Sydney, Robyn, Samantha, Jenna and Jeremy; and his niece Marcia Levine.
Chuck – as most called him, was raised in Fort William, ON and attended Fort William Collegiate graduating in 1951. He then attended the University of Manitoba and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1954 where he was elected Senior Stick. He went on to complete law school at the University of Manitoba where he graduated in 1955 and would commence a long and distinguished legal career. He joined the prestigious Winnipeg firm of Newman & MacLean where he became partner in 1967. In 1966, Chuck became a part-time judge for the northern communities in Manitoba. He would continue his busy Winnipeg practice while also working up north and on July 1, 1975, he was appointed as a full-time judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba (Criminal Division). At the time of his retirement in 2007, he was the longest serving judge in the court’s history having accumulated a combined 42 years as a presiding judge. Over the course of his legal career, which spanned over five decades, Chuck made an indelible mark on the law as a lawyer, mentor, lecturer and judge. While he was grounded in the law, he was driven by, and devoted to, justice. He served the legal profession and the province with the utmost dedication, integrity and loyalty.
He was enormously respected by defense counsel and crown attorneys alike in addition to his colleagues on the bench. He was universally regarded as a tough but fair jurist. He loved every minute of his life as a judge. Not because of his title or position but because he genuinely cared about everyone and he had an acute ability to deliver fair and balanced decisions. In true judicial fashion, he never gave an interview, discussed a case publicly or responded to any criticism. At the time of his retirement he left a legacy as an exceptionally fair, balanced and patient judge.
An active member of the community, Chuck was a past president of the Kinsman Club of Manitoba, the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, the Provincial Judges Association of Manitoba and sat on numerous boards including the Society of Crippled Children and Adults of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Police Board and was Chairman of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and the Jewish Federation of Manitoba Endowment Book of Life. He was also actively involved in the formation of the Winnipeg Jazz Festival and volunteered with it for many years.
In the early 1960s Chuck met the love of his life, Naida, who was born and raised in Winnipeg. They went along to have a long and happy marriage where they raised their four kids and enjoyed their grandchildren. In the early 1980s their family expanded when Cliff (Wiebe) came to live with them as he pursued his post secondary education. Cliff went on to become a member of the family and to be cherished by Chuck and Naida as a son. Chuck and Naida were privileged to have a great and vast group of friends and throughout their life they travelled frequently and saw much of the globe together.
Prior to meeting Naida, Chuck built himself a little cottage along a unique property lining the shores of Lake Winnipeg. For decades the cottage at Sans Souci would be the family’s playground. Whether it was tractor rides, boating or riding mini-bikes through the trails of the park in summer, or snowmobiling and cross country skiing across the frozen lake in the winter, cottage life provided a sanctuary for Chuck and his family. He loved nothing more than puttering around the cottage, enjoying time with family out there and with his many friends in the local community. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted frequently and never passed up an opportunity to fish.
He was a truly remarkable man. A model of integrity and modesty. The first in his family to attend university, he worked alongside with the brightest intellectuals in the province but in the end he really was a common man. He lived a full and beautiful life. He remarked that if he were to do it all over again, he wasn’t sure how he would find the time.
Funeral services took place on August 4, 2022, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg. The family would like to extend its appreciation to pallbearers: Cliff Wiebe, Jeffrey Hurtig, Richard Buchwald, Adam Buchwald, Al Wilhelmer and Daniel Adelman. Honourary pallbearers and life long friends were: Ken Katz, Norm Shore, Rube Helman, Howard Collerman, Gene Zazelenchuck and Morley Bernstein.
He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues and always treasured by his family.
Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the Province of Manitoba Palliative Care program and their outstanding health care providers along with the incredible staff at Riverview Health Centre for their compassionate and dignified palliative care.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Winnipeg Food Harvest in his honour, or to a charity of your choice, would be gratefully appreciated by the family.
Obituaries
TEDDY MULLER
In the early hours of September 29, 2025, holding the hands of his beloved daughter and granddaughter, Teddy quietly passed away just weeks before his 100th birthday. His passing coincided with the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiest of days, a sign of how honourably Teddy lived his life.
Teddy was born October 25 to his loving parents, Shlomo and Luisa in Balavasar, Romania and remained proud of his Transylvanian roots. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his older siblings, Lola and Zoli. Life drastically changed with the onset of the war. Teddy was forced into a slave labour camp while his siblings and mother were taken to concentration camps. His mother was murdered the day before liberation at Auschwitz, something that haunted him the rest of his life. Teddy’s entire testimony of the brutality that he endured is documented in the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation archive.
In the Fall of 1947, Teddy arrived in Winnipeg and within 24 hours was working as an upholsterer and didn’t stop until he was 88 years old. Along the way he was introduced to his beautiful Marie. They were married in 1950 during the flood and spent nearly 70 years together. Two young Holocaust survivors, with a mutual understanding of persecution and loss, began to build their lives together. They built a family with a strong and loving foundation. Their business, Art Upholstering, was built on honesty, respect and a commitment to craftsmanship. Teddy was always proud of the homes he had furnished and the connections he made with his customers. He was especially proud of restoring historical furnishings from Parks Canada. Teddy never had to take out an ad as his sterling reputation spoke for itself. Teddy had golden hands that crafted high quality showcases of his trade and artisanship. The same resilience that brought him through the war, brought him through a devastating fire where no arsonist was going to dictate his future. With the help of Fred and Cynthia Brick, Teddy rebuilt Art Upholstering from the ashes.
Family and friends were the most important things to Teddy. To know him was to love him. His charismatic and engaging personality left lasting impressions. His historical aptitude made him a force to be reckoned with in any debate.
Teddy revelled in the successes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were the world to him. He took his role as patriarch to heart. His support and love for his family was unconditional. He especially rose to the role of Zaidie and great-Zaidie Teddy Bear. He was a giver and never asked for much. Sitting on his deck, surrounded by his plants and apple tree filled his heart and soul.
Aging in his home was very important to Teddy. The compassionate care of Erlyn, his Joy, Timmalee, Adeena, Rose, Johnny and Marty was instrumental in maintaining Teddy’s dignity and independence and fulfilling his wish. Teddy’s quality of life was maintained thanks to the dedication of Dr. Brenda Hildebrand and her caring team. Regular visits from Chris, Gail, Alex, Allan and Emily kept Teddy engaged and stimulated.
Teddy was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Marie, his devoted son-in-law, Marshall, and granddaughter Jada. He is survived by his beloved daughter Laya, cherished grandchildren, Kyle (Carol), Gabi (Benji) and Skye (Cam), treasured great-grandchildren Alex, Maddy, Mavis, Mickey and Dori, as well as his son Marvin, and loving granddaughters Ilana and Timna.
Donations may be made to the Marshall S. Kneller Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or any organization supporting Israel, a cause near and dear to Teddy’s heart.
Obituaries
RUTH KLAPMAN December 20, 1929 – September 24, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, Ruth Klapman.
Ruth lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. She was devoted to her late husband, Sam, her partner for 68 years. Together, they brought joy to every gathering-always the first to dance and the last to say goodbye.
Ruth was deeply committed to volunteer work. She gave her time to organizations including Hadassah, ORT, the National Council of Jewish Women, Pioneer Women, and the Women’s Endowment Fund. She chaired the ORT thrift store for 14 years, and she sang in Israel as a member of the Rosh Pina Synagogue Choir.
Ruth spent every summer at Winnipeg Beach, sharing komish and other treats with generations of neighbourhood children who would visit the cottage throughout the day. She was everybody’s ‘Bubbie’. Winters were spent in Palm Springs, welcoming her children and grandchildren for fun in the sun.
Ruth was a true party person who loved spending time with friends and hosting family gatherings. Her home was a place where people came together to share meals, stories, and laughter. She enjoyed travelling the world and never refusing an invitation, no matter where it was.
Mother to Sandi (Sam Malamud), Marla Bernstein, Hartley (Drew Salter), and Jody (Brian Goldberg); grandmother to Andrew (Hilary), Allan (Alona), Aaron (Alanna), Jason (Lindsay), Steven (Alexis), Dana (Tom), Brady (Matt), Carly (Jay), Hanna (Gaby), and Kevin (Ilana).
Great-grandmother to Florie, Stan, Juniper, Angus, Isaac, Otto, Cole, Chase, Charlotte, Rory, Mason, and Romi; sister-in-law to Sandy Youssiem; Auntie Ruthie to many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband Sam, her parents Reuben and Rose Youssiem, and her brother Saul Youssiem.
A special thank you to Marivel Toledo for her many years of care and dedication, and to Lorna Allen and Fabi Patriarca for their great support.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for officiating the funeral service, which took place on September 26, 2025, at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth and Sam Klapman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 204-477-7520.
Obituaries
JEROME AVERY
April 2, 1945 – September 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerome Avery, who passed away with his family by his side on September 11, 2025, at the age of 80.
Jerome was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Allan and Diane Avery. He was married to the love of his life, Karen, for 46 years, until her passing. Jerome was blessed to find love and companionship again with Sergia, who he cared deeply for.
Jerome treasured being “Zaida” to his grandchildren, Danica, Alexis, and Nathan. Jerome is survived by his loving children, Robyn (Don) and Tammy (Chris); his grandchildren Danica (Benny), Alexis (Brett), and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Karen, his parents Allan and Diane Avery, and his in-laws Nathan and Rose Sarbit.
His smile lit up a room bringing joy and comfort to all who knew him.