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Obituaries

Roseline Usiskin (née Wolodarsky)

With great sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Roseline Usiskin on November 2, 2022 after a brief illness. She was ninety-four years old. Roseline (also known as Baba, Rose or Roz) was an important person in so many people’s lives. She was a friend and a mentor to us all; a shining example of integrity, principle and kindness.
Roz was born in 1928 in Winnipeg, the third of seven surviving children born to Joseph Wolodarsky and Florence (Litman). She married Larry Usiskin in 1949. Roz is survived by her sons Michael (Jean), Arnie (Robyn) and Len (Priscilla), and her grandchildren Jana (Nic), Josh (Shelley), Aaron (Kasandra), Beth (Rob), Jacqui (Max), Mika (Alekcei), and great grandchildren Laurence, Miriam, Konrad, Julia, Felix, Aria, Nolan, Edie, Basil, Nya and Lola as well as her sister Evelyn, brother Bill (AnnMaree), brothers-in-law Dave and Sid (Viki) and sister-in-law Marcia, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Her parents, Joseph and Florence, her husband Larry, her siblings Doris, Jack, Shirley and Marilyn, and her sisters- and brothers-in-law Fred, Shirley, Sid, and Martin predeceased her.
Roz lived a remarkable and engaged life, which was shaped in her youth by radical left wing family members and friends who were writers and activists. She thought critically and she was curious about the world and other’s points of view. She loved to read and debate ideas and to discuss the pressing issues of the day.
Some of her activities and accomplishments include teaching kindergarten at Peretz and Shalom Aleichem schools; director of the children’s summer Camp Husavik; completion of high school as an adult and then going on to complete a Master’s degree in Sociology and History (earning a gold medal for both); lecturer at the University of Winnipeg; published articles and book reviews focused on the Jewish radical left in Winnipeg (she was widely consulted about her research); founding executive director of the Manitoba Multicultural Resource Centre; president of the Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada where she facilitated its’ move to the Jewish Community Campus; a lifelong member of the United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO) serving for many years as local President and also as a member of the national executive board; member of the national editorial board of the Canadian Jewish Outlook; and member of Jewish Voices for Peace. Roz also translated (from Yiddish to English), edited and published two books of letters by her father and his relatives.
Roz’s social and political activism included many progressive issues related to human rights, peace and social justice. She was part of the secular Jewish movement and was passionate about preserving Yiddish language and culture. She sang in various Jewish and labour choirs and was a founding organizer of the Shalom Aleichem Cultural group.
Roz and Larry travelled extensively all over the world. She loved attending cultural events — theatre, concerts, movies, ballet and opera.
Maintaining close family connections was extremely important to Roz. She was the matriarch of both the Wolodarsky and Usiskin families and she ensured that family and friends came together for every possible milestone or simcha. She loved to host suppers and gatherings in her Winnipeg home and at her Winnipeg Beach cottage. Food was an essential part of every get together. She especially enjoyed lively conversations with family and friends, often with a cup of tea in hand.
Both Roz and Larry were supportive, loving and proud parents and grandparents. They raised three active boys in a modest bungalow on Burrin Avenue in West Kildonan. Roz was very involved in her childrens’ and grandchildrens’ lives. She was also involved in the lives of her siblings and many nieces and nephews. Many people not in our family adopted her as a mother figure. They knew they could always come to her for support and advice.
We are inspired by her enthusiasm for life, her kindness and generosity, and the curiosity and intellect she demonstrated throughout her life. Her whole family is proud of all her accomplishments and the ideals she stood for. We know Roz felt there was still much work to be done to make the world a better place for all, and she was involved in projects as recently as this past autumn. She planted many seeds for peace and justice, and her legacy will carry on to make a better world.
Roz’s funeral was held Sunday, November 6, 2022, at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. We are planning a larger celebration of Roz’s life at Winnipeg Beach next summer. Donations in Roz’s honour may be made to: UJPO (United Peoples Jewish Order), the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, the Judaic Studies Program at the University of Manitoba, or to a meaningful organization of your choice.

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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.

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Obituaries

GARY MELTZER January 28, 1953 – July 31, 2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Gary Martin Meltzer on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Grace Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born on January 28, 1953, in Beausejour, Manitoba,
Gary was the cherished son of Arnie and Helen Meltzer (née Shore).
Gary was predeceased by his devoted parents, Arnie and Helen Meltzer, and his brother, Allan Meltzer. He is survived by his nephew Jonathan Meltzer (Sean), niece Megan Meltzer, his great-niece Gabby Meltzer and his great-nephews, Jerrod Meltzer and Benji Carroll. Gary will be deeply missed by his many cousins. He shared a particularly close relationship with his cousin Jennifer Curtis-Lane. Jennifer’s steadfast presence by Gary’s side in his final days was a testament to their deep connection. Gary’s love extended to Jennifer’s husband Deon and their three daughters, Sophie, Abby, and Emily.
Gary’s early years were spent in Beausejour Manitoba, where his father Arnie and Uncle Sid started their business. Those days were filledwith the warmth and joy of a large extended family. In 1964, the Meltzer family moved to Winnipeg, settling on Hartford Avenue in West Kildonan, where Gary attended West Kildonan Collegiate before earning his CPA degree from the University of Manitoba.
A naturally private person, Gary was happiest when surrounded by family and talking about politics, sports or current events. His fondest memories were of summers spent at Winnipeg Beach with his Margulius and Shore cousins. As he grew older, Gary became more reserved, quietly excelling in a wide range of skills. Whether fixing cars, repairing things around the house, or building intricate model airplanes and cars, Gary’s talents were many, yet he never sought attention for them.
Gary’s aptitude for numbers and building, found a perfect outlet in his career as a CPA and bookkeeper for companies specializing in window manufacturing and installation. His professional career eventually took him from the back office to the factory floor where his last few years were spent building windows andother items that used to fill his spreadsheets. His professional skills were matched by a deep love for hockey. As a devoted Winnipeg Jets 1.0 season ticket holder, Gary was known for his passionate “coaching” from his favourite chair during away games.
Gary was a man of habit and tradition. He frequented the Salisbury House at Main Street and Matheson for coffee and the Green Briar Inn for beers with friends. His vanity license plate, “GO AWAY,” became infamous in the family, a quirky symbol of his unique personality.
One of Gary’s lesser-known talents was baking. He took pride in mastering his mother’s cherished recipes, often sharing his creations with Jennifer and her daughters, who were his willing taste-testers.
Gary’s big heart was often hidden beneath a quiet demeanour, but his family always knew they could count on him. Whether helping with a move, installing appliances, or giving advice on home improvements, Gary was always there.
After his father Arnie fell ill, Gary remained at home to help his mother. He continued to help Helen adjust to life without Arnie, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to family.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff on the 3rd floor of the Grace Hospital for their compassionate care during Gary’s final weeks, with special gratitude to Nurse Tyler for his empathy and kindness.
A special thank you to Tracey Kasner for conducting Gary’s funeral and capturing his essence. Funeral service was held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery.
Pallbearers included Jonathan Meltzer, Megan Meltzer, Jennifer Lane, Jeffrey Curtis, Rick Shore, and Leon Pincovich.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg or Cancer- Care Manitoba.
Gary will be remembered for his quiet strength, his selflessness, and the love he had for his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

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Obituaries

JERRY MOSCOVITCH

Jerry Moscovitch, husband to Gloria and father to Susan and Dan passed away at the Simkin Centre January 2, 2025.

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