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Obituaries

ZIVAN SAPER February 10, 1951 – Dec 16, 2020

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Zivan Saper, on December 16, 2020. Zivan passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a short, but determined, battle with leukemia.

Zivan will be sorely missed by his wife of 44 years, Tannis, son Avi (Rachelle), grandchildren Hartley and Sari, brother Arthur (Marsha), brother-in-law Ian, the rest of his extended family, and countless friends from all walks of life. He was predeceased by his parents, Max and Sarah, and his sister Blumie.
Zivan grew up in Winnipeg’s North End and later in Garden City, joining his father’s insurance brokerage, Saper Agencies, soon after high school. He eventually took over the business and ran it successfully until 2016, earning the trust of hundreds of long-time clients who valued his honesty, integrity, and commitment to serving their best interests. Zivan worked hard – long hours, weekends, answering phone calls in the middle of the night when someone’s basement had flooded – but didn’t complain because he did it to help his clients.
Zivan’s commitment to serving his community extended far beyond his business. He was generous with his time and his money. He was an active volunteer with many organizations, serving as president of the Winnipeg Convention Centre and North Winnipeg Rotary Club, and on the board of the Seven Oaks Hospital Foundation and Jewish National Fund to name a few. His most passionate volunteer work was in the world of curling, a sport that he was first introduced to as a kid at the Maple Leaf Curling Club. Zivan loved everything about the game, from the competition and the strategy to the countless friends he made over the years from all across the continent. He followed in his father Max’s footsteps as a president of the Manitoba Curling Association, and later served as president of the Canadian Curling Association. His final contribution to the game came in 2003 when he served as president of the World Curling Championships at the old Winnipeg Arena.
Zivan worked hard, but he also found time to enjoy life and his family. He was a devoted husband, a proud father and father-in-law, and an ecstatic Zaida when his grandchildren arrived. He was a lifelong partner to Tannis, building a happy and fulfilling life together. He loved family gatherings big and small, and enjoyed spending the winter months in Scottsdale in recent years. To Avi, he was a best friend as much as he was a father. Rounds of golf, Jets and Bombers games, and trips to Green Bay to see his Packers were just some of the interests they shared. He was beaming when he welcomed Rachelle into the family, and perhaps nothing made Zivan happier than picking up Hartley or Sari and making them laugh.
His life was too short, but Zivan didn’t waste any of it. He left a mark on so many who knew him and will be dearly missed.
We wish to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at CancerCare Manitoba, as well as GD-6 at Health Sciences Centre, and the palliative care unit at Riverview Health Centre for their care and compassion during Zivan’s illness, with a special thank you to Dr. Menard.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, a private funeral service was held at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on December 18. Pallbearers were David Folk, Barry Greenberg, David Herbert, Sam Segal, Stephen Segal and Warren Zimmerman. A celebration of Zivan’s life will be held at a later date, when it is safe to do so.
A heartfelt thank you to the many people who have shown such kindness to our family since Zivan’s passing. In lieu of flowers, donations in Zivan’s memory to a charity of your choice are greatly appreciated.

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Obituaries

RHONDA MATIAS

Rhonda Matias (nee Rykiss) passed away peacefully December 31, 2024, in Toronto, surrounded by her children.

Daughter of the late Belle and the late Max Rykiss of Winnipeg. Rhonda was born in Winnipeg on May 3, 1944, and raised in both the North End on Inkster Boulevard and later Cordova Street in Winnipeg’s South End. Her family nickname was Cookie as her father said she had a round face. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, only to be called back to Winnipeg to take care of her ailing mother.

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Rhonda was an independent and successful businesswoman. She worked in retail sales for her parents and from her basement, and later was a successful sales rep. Rhonda was a well-known and beloved figure at her own enterprise, A Store is Born, at the Winnipeg International Airport.

She loved fashion and art and followed in her mother and sister’s footsteps of cooking and baking. She read newspapers, kept in close contact with friends and family, stayed in shape and liked to spend time in the sun.

Rhonda relocated to Toronto in 2000 to be closer to family. She made many new friends and nurtured her love for dogs.

She is survived by her children, Debbi-Jo Matias (Kevin Filkow), Marshall Matias (Merav Barr). Bubbi Cookie adored her grandchildren, Mikaela Matias, Jack Matias, Jesse Filkow and Ari Filkow. She is also survived by her brother Bruce M. Rykiss and aunt Fay Rykiss, nieces and nephews, Jodi Sprackman (Paul), Steven Gilletz (Cheryl Lis), Douglas Gilletz (Ariane Cohen). She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Matias in June 1973.

Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes and Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg on January 2, 2025, Rabbi Kliel Rose presiding, and Shiva was observed in Toronto.

Pallbearers were Kevin Filkow, Jesse Filkow, Jack Matias, Ari Filkow, Bryan Borzykowski and Steven London.

The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, especially Michelle Ciego.

Donations may be made to Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – Rhonda Matias Memorial Fund in support of BB Camp, or charity of your choice.

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Obituaries

SYBIL RUBIN MARCH 18 1931 – SEPTEMBER 4 2024

Sybil passed on to her next adventure on September 4, 2024 at age 93 1/2.
She was a bright light in many people’s lives, most especially her loving family’s. Sybil lived her values with joy, energy, and purpose. She was always welcoming and inclusive, unwaveringly supportive, loving and optimistic. She volunteered extensively her time and skills with countless community organizations. She thrived on both teaching and learning, presenting celebrated book reviews, as a community presenter on the subjects of Israel and Hanukkah, and developing iconic programs like the Beth El Art Auctions.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sybil was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, and was elected to lead her college as Lady Stick of Arts in her senior year. Sybil met Manly Rubin – the love of her life – while in their teens in Winnipeg; they married in 1953. They immediately ventured off to Dublin, Ireland where Sybil earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College while Manly earned his medical degree. She loved their time in Dublin, which provided opportunities to explore various European countries.
They then moved to a small town in Saskatchewan where they welcomed their three children: Harry, Caron and Rochelle. With relocation to Minneapolis a few years later, Sybil threw her energy into her new community’s programs, her children’s activities, and volunteer opportunities. She remained a voracious reader (participating in three book clubs) and enthusiastic traveler into her 80’s, bringing her family on exotic foreign adventures after Manly passed away in 2010. She always delighted in attending plays, concerts and other performances. Hers was a life well lived.
Sybil is survived by her adoring children, Harry, Caron (Marc Meirovitz) and Rochelle Rubin (Scott Rutzick); sister, Rochelle Pincovich; grandchildren, Colin and Ethan Meirovitz, Shelby Rutzick and Boaz, Amalya and Gilad Rubin, as well as loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Manly Rubin; parents, Sam and Minnie Heft; sister, Connie Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Myles Robinson, Leon & Lainy and Jack Rubin and Aurel Pincovic

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Obituaries

ISAAC GOTFRIED

Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.

Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard.  The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.

He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.

Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg.  He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.

Isaac was a survivor.  He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation.  He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.  

After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally.    He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates.  His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation.  He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten.  He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.  

At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies.  At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.   

Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many.  He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke.  He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital.  He was a very intelligent, self-educated man.  He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.  

Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.

In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg.  It will also be live streamed.   Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.

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