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
DAVID BLOOMFIELD
Sadly, David Bloomfield passed peacefully on December 19, 2024, age 79.
David was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Phillip Bloomfield, and older brothers, Joel and Auby. David will be deeply missed and mourned by his wife, Sheila, of 56 years, the love of his life, his children, Brenlee (Michael) and Evan (Ellen), as well as cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Lainee, and Lauren. David shared close relationships with his younger sisters, Naomi and Judi, and with their husbands, Shmuel and Larry, and with his sister-in-law, Linda. David also enjoyed meaningful relationships with each of his nieces and nephews.
David was born on January 20, 1945, and grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. He enjoyed many summers at his grandmother’s cottage in Winnipeg Beach, the place he first met Sheila. His love of the outdoors and beach life continued throughout his life.
David was proud of the varied jobs he held and businesses he created across his life. He opted for early retirement from Air Canada choosing to become an independent business owner, purchasing, developing, and operating three Subway restaurants. In later years he bought and sold RV trailers and was always the consummate deal maker.
Throughout his life, David was very involved in his community. He was a very active member of multiple synagogue boards and committees across several decades, later became an active member of his condo board, and ultimately continued to share his opinions and ideas as a resident of both the Courtyards and the Simkin Centre.
David enjoyed his down time and valued his relationships with family and friends. He loved simple things, like Sunday drives with Sheila. He relished weekly lunch and regular casino dates with Auby and enjoyed travelling with Sheila and his siblings and their spouses. David and Sheila enjoyed many holiday meals at Brenlee and Michael’s home over the years and made wonderful memories at Evan and Ellen’s Loni Beach cottage. Early retirement allowed David significant opportunity for travel, especially on cruises with Sheila, in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. David owned various travel trailers over 30 plus years and enjoyed winters RVing in Texas and local “Good Sam Club” campground meet ups. He introduced his children to RVing in the 1980s, and later shared his love for RVing with his grandchildren.
Huge thanks to David’s sister Judi Fielding, and brother-in-law, Larry Fielding, who provided David significant support, and significantly improved his quality of life in the final few years. Thank you to staff of Simkin Centre who provided excellent care of David during his final year. For those who choose, donations can be made to the Simkin Centre or Jewish Child and Family Services. Further details: e_bloomfield@yahoo.ca
Obituaries
ANNETTE FREDA MINUK (NEE MASSIE) June 25, 1924 – December 21, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother who left us peacefully on December 21, 2024 at the age of 100. She was laid to rest beside her late husband Harry at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbears attending were Kevin Minuk, Blake Minuk, Hayley Trenholm, Doug West, Simmie Globerman and Keith Levit.
Annette is survived by her children, Arlene West (Doug), Sheldon (Shoshana), Jeffrey (Harriet); grandchildren Kimberley (Chris) Kevin (Simmie), Blake (Chelsea), Hayley (Chris) and Harel; her great grandchildren Kyler, Krewyn, Charlotte, Annie, Lachlan and sister in law Yetta Levit. She was predeceased by her husband Harry, her parents Rebecca and Dalton, her brother Jack Massie, brothers and sisters in law, Max and Clara Zamick, Norman and Molly Lachter, Norman and Goldie Minuk, Evie and Jack Rosenbaum and Jack Levit.
Annette was truly one of a kind. She was a warm and loving person whose kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to her family always putting their needs ahead of hers. She was always there for all the kids and grandkids activities over the years. She was present at countless milestones and activities, celebrating every achievement with unwavering pride and joy. Her wisdom and compassion were a guiding light, and she had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel special, valued and deeply loved. She will be remembered for her generous heart, infectious smile and the countless memories that will forever live in our hearts.
Mom will be missed each and everyday, but now she is with our Dad where she wanted to be.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate her remarkable life and the enduring legacy of love she leaves behind. Her spirit will continue to inspire us, and she will always be cherished and missed.
Obituaries
LOUIS ELFENBAUM March 12, 1936 – December 9, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Louis Elfenbaum. Louis was a popular Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento. He taught for 38 years and then retired and moved to San Diego, California, with his wife, Elizabeth.
Born in rural Lipton, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 1936, Louis was the youngest of six children of Abraham and Dora Elfenbaum. With his siblings, Louis braved the harsh Canadian climate to maintain the family farm.
At age 14, Louis moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived with his sister and attended St. John’s High School. In high school, Louis was extremely popular, an excellent student, an accomplished athlete, and was voted school president.
After high school, Louis studied at Manitoba Teachers’ College and began his teaching career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State College in Minnesota, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota. He earned his Doctorate in Kinesiology from Ohio State University in 1966. His early professorships were at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) and prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In 1970, Louis accepted a full professorship at California State University, Sacramento where he taught Kinesiology for close to four decades. During his tenure as a professor, Louis pursued his interest in law, earning his J.D. degree from Lincoln Law School in 1982.
Louis cared deeply about his students, offering a special lecture about life that attracted students not only from his department, but also from the entire university. He valued intellectual curiosity and fostered that spirit in his students as well as his four children, who have all pursued higher education earning advanced degrees.
Louis had a magnetic personality. He was kind, patient, generous, caring, honest and selfless. Those attributes had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met. He was adored by his family including his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who greatly valued his wisdom, his guidance and his unconditional love.
Louis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lefcort, (pre-deceased by his ex-wife Esther—d. 2018–and mother of) his four children, Adrian Elfenbaum (JoAnne Winter), Ian Elfenbaum (Susan Adler), Marcia Elfenbaum, Pamela Elfenbaum (David Klein), 2 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login