Obituaries
WILLIAM CHAIKEN
William (“Bill”) Chaiken, one of the last of the first-generation abstract expressionists, died on November 13, 2021, at the age of 100. Bill was a prolific artist known for his abstract figurative paintings and admired for his improvisatory style, technical mastery, and emotional depth.
Bill was born in Russia in 1921 and emigrated with his family to Winnipeg in 1926 to escape the pogroms. His father, Zalman Chaiken, came to be celebrated in the community as a Yiddish poet (https://ia802704.us.archive.org/20/items/nybc204675/nybc204675.pdf).
Entering grade school at the age of five, unable to speak English, Bill charmed his classmates with his drawings, confirming his early devotion to art.
From 1937 to 1940 Bill attended the Winnipeg School of Art, where he studied under George Overton of the British Royal Academy and L.L. Fitzgerald.
From 1941 to 1945, he served in the Canadian army.
After the war, Bill moved to New York City and attended the Art Students League under the Veteran’s Rehabilitation Act, studying with Morris Kantor and Vaclav Vytlacil. He associated with the abstract artists of the New York School. In time, he found that he was not satisfied with pure abstraction, feeling that it lacked “empathy,” and he began to incorporate figures and landscapes into his paintings.His work quickly gained recognition and was displayed in many exhibitions, including six Whitney annual shows (1949 -1956).
In 1959, Bill became a member of United Scenic Artists, a union of freelance designers and painters for theater, film, and television. He painted sets for the Metropolitan Opera, The New York City Ballet, The New York City Opera, The American Ballet Theater, Radio City Music Hall, and Disneyland, as well as for television and Broadway plays and musicals. He also painted the sets and artwork for feature films under the directors Sidney Lumet, John Huston, Martin Scorcese, Woody Allen, John Schlesinger, Bob Fosse, Francis Ford Coppola, and many others. Bill claimed that his work as a scenic artist warmed him up for his own painting, which continued unabated. Some of the dramatic effects of the stage found their way into his paintings, as did early memories of Russia and visions of the wide-open skies over Winnipeg.
In 2009 Bill was devastated by the loss of his beloved wife Elke (née Neuhaus). He feared that he would never be able to paint again, but after a period of illness he returned to his studio, located at his home in the Ramapo Mountains in Hillburn, New York.
Bill continued painting in his own home beyond the age of 100. Two months before his 101th birthday, after moving to an assisted living facility, he took to his bed and died peacefully within a week.
Bill retained his connection with Winnipeg, visiting frequently while his parents were alive. Between visits, his mother kept him supplied with packages of smoked goldeyes.
Bill’s paintings are represented in the Whitney Museum of American Art and in private collections worldwide.
He is survived by his daughters, Ilya Chaiken and MarthaLeah Chaiken, and his granddaughter Zora Sicher.
A sampling of his paintings can be seen, and the family contacted, on his website: https://www.williamchaiken.com/
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.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.