IZZY PELTZ

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

IZZY PELTZ Suddenly on November 23, 2012. Izzy was predeceased in 2009 by Mary, his beloved wife of 62 years. He will be sadly missed by children Arne (Marva Smith), Harvey (Jo-Anne), Claire and Sheryl (Sean Frederiksen); sister Shirley Peltz; grandchildren Michael, Jessica, Joel, Zachary, Zane, Seth and Skylar; great-granddaughter Aliyah, who called him Super Zaida ; sisters-in-law Sara Gelfand and Edith Komisar; and several dear nieces and nephews. Izzy was born on March 31, 1921, in Romania while his parents Joseph and Clara were en route to Canada from Russia. The family was welcomed at the Winnipeg train station by the local Jewish community and lived in Winnipeg's North End. Joseph was a baker, Clara a dressmaker. Shortly after they arrived, Shirley was born. Izzy graduated from St. John's Tech. He took a few years to find his career, but when he tried accounting, it was obvious he was a natural. He met Mary, also a child of new Jewish immigrants, and courted her. They were married in 1947 and the same year Izzy graduated from the University of Manitoba as a Chartered Accountant. In the 1950's and 1960's, Izzy and Mary raised their family, participated actively in the Jewish community and enjoyed a remarkably lively and wide circle of friends. Izzy became well known as a hard working, skilled and dedicated financial advisor. His clients adored him. Once tax season ended, there were always great family times at the Winnipeg Beach cottage (later Sandy Hook), road trips and lots of travel by Izzy and Mary as a couple. In the 1980's and 1990's, the weddings began as the children found partners and made their way in the world. Grandchildren followed and Izzy revelled in his new role as a Zaida. There were countless boisterous family events. In later years, Izzy said his greatest joy was just to be with his family, to see them enjoy each other and to watch the new generation grow. He was thankful that his children all remained in Winnipeg. In the community, Izzy contributed to many projects and agencies over the years - the new Bnai Brith Lodge in West Kildonan, the Lake of the Woods site for Bnai Brith Camp, the Jewish Child and Family Services, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre. He left practice in 1974 at the height of his professional success to become Executive Director of the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council. Recalling how the community embraced and supported his own family on arrival from Europe, he wanted to give back. So he devoted his considerable organizational abilities to community service on a full time basis. He was most proud of how the Jewish Foundation grew in this time period from a shoestring operation to one of the leading philanthropic bodies in Manitoba. He retired from the WJCC in 1986 but stayed as Director of the Foundation until 1991, when he retired again. Losing Mary in 2009 to Alzheimer's was a terrible blow for Izzy. Although he missed her very much, he did not abandon the enjoyment of life. He visited his children regularly. He helped out his sister Shirley. He kept in touch with old friends like Laurie Mainster through regular lunch dates and other functions. At the Boulton, where he lived for the past five years, he made a new group of friends and joined in virtually all the available social the activities. Armed with his walker, he prowled the corridors for daily exercise. He hosted a great party there for his 90th birthday, and danced with Minnie Karlinsky. As it was all his life, even at the age of 91, he was well known for kibbitzing and his engaging manner with one and all. When the end came, it was sudden and unexpected. Izzy was lucky - no hospital, no nursing home, he had his dignity and his joy of life to the last moment. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 26, 2012, at Temple Shalom, 1077 Grant Avenue at Wilton, with interment to follow at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. No flowers please. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Izzy and Mary Peltz Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 400-123 Doncaster, R3N 2B2 (www.jewishfoundation.org) or a charity of your choice. Friends are invited to visit with the family as they remember Izzy on November 26, 27 and 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 48 Lord Avenue, home of Arne Peltz and Marva Smith.
Publish Date: Nov 26, 2012

IZZY PELTZ With sadness we announce the sudden passing of Izzy Peltz on Thursday, November 22, 2012 at the age of 91. Funeral service on Monday, November 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 1077 Grant Avenue. Interment will be at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Longer obituary to follow.
Publish Date: Nov 24, 2012

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 26, 2012