DAVID PESOCHIN

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DAVID PESOCHIN It is with profound sorrow that we who love him announce the passing of David on Saturday, November 28, 2009 after a lengthy battle with leukemia. Born on October 14, 1943, David was only recently predeceased by his parents Sam in 2006 and Faye in 2008. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lynne, children Teri, Marlo and Marshall Morris, beloved grandchildren Emma Pesochin, Sarah, Tyson and Stephanie Morris, brother Robert, sister-in-law Nita (Root) Lamendola, nephews Lee Pesochin and Jon Pesochin, niece Jennifer Root (Kevin), great-niece Rio Pesochin, Karen (Pesochin) Wolinsky and devoted friends too numerous to mention. David was born with a musical gift and a beautiful tenor voice that he used to bring joy to those around him. As a youngster he began singing with the CBC Radio School Choir, both as a choirist and soloist, continuing through into his teens in school choirs and in Kelvin High School operettas. As an adult he became interested in liturgical music and approached the late Sarah Udow for guidance. With her encouragement he joined the Rosh Pina Synagogue choir and eventually became a choir soloist. Miriam Brietman, who succeeded Udow as director, often sang duets with him, both in concert and at synagogue services. As well, he sang with the Festival Opera Group, performed at the Israeli Pavilion at Folklorama and appeared in numerous productions at the Hollow Mug Dinner Theater. David joined the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue Choir in 1989 and eventually became the glue that held the tenor section together. Then choirmaster Archie Stone began pairing David with soprano Jill Brandes in duets. This caught the attention of congregation member and music mavin, Avivah Katz who asked David and Jill to join in the Quartet Plus, her dream team of singers who would help fulfill her goal of keeping Yiddish musical heritage alive. David credited Katz for being a great influence in the direction of his musical career. With her encouragement he became a singer of Yiddish folk songs and started performing this music for the Jewish Community. In 1997 they produced a tape of Yiddish music which sold out very quickly. Katz then began pairing David with Jill Brandes to perform for the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre and the two realized they had something special. There began a 14 year singing partnership and friendship. They performed together in Yiddish, Hebrew and English in concerts and cabarets throughout the city until David's health began to fail in mid-2008. David's love of music was not exclusive to song. He was devoted to the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble in a variety of roles, but his most cherished was in costuming with Erna Kimmel and a host of others, including Lynne who formed a cohesive support group for the ensemble and friendships that endure to this very day. David was also a loyal volunteer with the Winnipeg Jewish Theater, serving as House Manager and often filling in at the box office when required. Again, a network of friendships was built that he cherished until his final year. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek synagogue on Monday, November 30, Rabbi Alan Green officiating. Pallbearers were his brother Bobby, Marshall Morris, Morley Jacobs, Stuart Slayen, Bill Weissmann and David Novikoff. The family extends its most heartfelt gratitude to doctors Brent Schacter, Matthew Seftel and the incredible support staff of ward GD6 at Health Sciences Centre, CancerCare Manitoba and Riverview Health Centre. Those wishing to honour David's memory can donate to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Inc., phone 787-4143 or 1-877-407-2223 or online at www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca. or to the charity of their choice. David, dad, zaida, friend, how you were loved and how you will be missed.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 05, 2009