MEYER COSMAN

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MEYER COSMAN It is with deep sadness that, after a courageous battle with cancer, we announce the passing of Meyer, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, August 12, 2006. Meyer will be lovingly remembered and profoundly missed by his wife of 54 years, Rita; daughters, Lois Weidman and Barbara Cosman; son-in-law Lorne Weidman; daughter-in-law Willow Rector; grandchildren, Danielle and Justin Weidman; and friend Marty Halprin. Meyer also leaves to mourn his sister Florence Weinstein of Toronto; brothers, Herbert Cosman (Deborah) of Ottawa and Leslie Cosman (Hazel) of Calgary; also Geoffrey (Diane) Cosman; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Meyer was born on May 19, 1928 in Winnipeg, the sixth of seven children of Charles and Meita Cosman. He grew up above his father's furniture store on Carlton Street and left school at 16 to work full time with his father. He was a motivated dealmaker and his 60 years in the furniture business is testimony that he loved what he did and did what he loved. Meyer stayed actively involved in the business until he suffered a stroke during cancer surgery in 2004. The outdoor Wesley Park Rink in downtown Winnipeg, in the mid 1930's, was where Meyer was introduced to the sport that became his passion: speed skating. He went on to appear in ice shows in the early 1950's where he performed the sport of barrel jumping while on speed skates. As a senior, Meyer competed, won numerous medals, and set records at the Canadian Masters and Senior Olympics. He contributed much to the sport and his legacy will continue through the Meyer Cosman Speed Skating Scholarship, which will be awarded each year to a Manitoba speed skater entering university. He also established The Meyer Cosman Trophy, a bronze sculpture, which will be presented each year to a person making an outstanding contribution to speed skating in Manitoba. Speed skating led Meyer into cycling and cross-country skiing and he became a member of the Olympia Cycle Ski family. He loved every minute of every kilometre as he tried to keep up with all the youngsters with whom he rode and skied. Meyer also enjoyed the times he spent cycling with his brother Les in the hills outside Calgary and on the West Coast. They even rode to Winnipeg Beach when they were both in their 70's. Meyer's last cross-country skiing trip, with Les in Whistler just days before his surgery, was something he always cherished. Meyer was truly blessed to have had many wonderful friends who visited him and gave him a better quality of life during his lengthy illness. We will always be grateful for Meyer's cycling/skiing group and other friends who took him to Nick's Inn in Headingly on Saturday mornings for breakfast. When his illness progressed, the group met at the St. Boniface Hospital. Funeral services were held on Monday, August 14 at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with interment at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Justin Weidman, Mitchell Cosman, Zak Cosman, Marty Halprin, Gary Levine and Sam Klapman. Honorary pallbearers were Alastair Thomson, Lindsay Gauld, Andy Lockery and Paul Cholakis. Meyer truly appreciated all who visited and cared for him during his illness. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of Tuxedo Villa and the doctors and nurses of 7A South at St. Boniface Hospital. Those who knew Meyer will always remember his friendly nature and heart-warming smile. Donations may be made to the Meyer Cosman Speed Skating Scholarship at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 477-7525.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 26, 2006