SAM MINUK

Condolences & Memories (17 entries)

• Our sincerest condolences to Sam’s family. We are truly saddened by the news of his passing. Sam was my teacher advisor in the 90s. I really appreciated his positive feedback, tips, and words of wisdom. He was an excellent teacher and mentor. I was proud when he said I managed to crack his top three novice teacher list. I still have his substitute teacher trivia game he made by hand for me to use as incentive in those late in the day classes when students were tired. I remember his tales of teaching in England and some of the difficult days he experienced there. After hearing them, it put things into proper perspective as my bad days in teaching were not that bad in comparison. He passed along his knowledge and his great passion for teaching to me which was so valuable and appreciated. When we moved to Machray Avenue in the north end of Winnipeg in the 90s I didn’t realize we were only a few houses away from Sam’s residence. He was such a great neighbour, and those years were very memorable for us. Sam never missed a birthday or an event and always had an amazing card to offer with his trademark cartoon sketches. Our kids were always in awe when he took us on tour through his personal zoo and knick knack museum. Sam looked after our pets as well when we travelled and was always inquiring about their health. It was always great to see him come by with his many pets in tow, and to chat about this and that. Sam was also an excellent photographer. Many of our pictures in our photo albums from 1993-2003 were from him. After we moved to St. Andrews we still stopped by on occasion to catch up and visit. It was so sad to see the disease rob him of all the things he acquired in life. He was one of a kind. We will miss him and will cherish the memories of him. RIP Sam! - Posted by: Marco Morelli and family (Neighbour and friend ) on: Jul 04, 2020

• Mr Minuk was my favourite teacher. He not only took the time to be caring at school, but I didn’t have many friends back then and I would call him and talk to him on the phone. I have thought of him many times over the years. RIP my friend. Tay - Posted by: Tayler Ann (Former student) on: May 21, 2020

• It is with great sadness that I have read of Sam”s passing. He taught me at Stopsley High school in Luton, UK and later we corresponded and had the odd telephone conversations over many years. I will always remember him with fondness and have kept many of his letters which always had wonderful cartoons, and often included updates of his pets. Condolences to his family and friends.. Kind regards Kathleen - Posted by: Kathleen Brennan (Former pupil) on: May 17, 2020

• To the Minuk family and to Sammy's lifelong companion Darlene...I am sorry not to have known Sammy in his later years but as my cousin in my youth in Winnipeg he was always a good friend and a lot of fun. He had a great smile and was very family oriented. He visited me in the UK when I lived there which was really sweet. I did not know that he loved animals so...but it makes complete sense. He was a kind soul in every way. He will be missed by everyone. Those who knew him well throughout his life, his brothers and sister, nieces and nephews; and his cousins like me, Howard and Corinne. - Posted by: Alannah Kern (cousin) on: Apr 11, 2020

• I had the pleasure of being in the same grade 12 classroom as Sam at St. John's High School. On school night there was a movie that I wanted to watch but I didn't. It was the late movie and if I watched it, I couldn't stay awake in classes the next day. The next morning, I was with Sam and couple of others, and he was discussing the movie he watched that night that I missed. He could function on a lot less sleep than I could. I had a lot of fond memories of that year with Sam in our class. I enjoyed his keen observations and his points of views on different subjects. Thank you Sam for making our final year in high school a memorial one. - Posted by: Colin Dederick (former classmate) on: Apr 07, 2020

• How does one sum up a friendship...to each of us I am sure we all could say something and would hope that we had left our mark..What is the sum of person, they are the impression they leave on the heart. And such is the case with my dear friend Sam. As I write I find it difficult to push the keys between the tears. I, like many others, received many cards. Each one special and unique, just for me and of course he never forgot to add Maggie in there (my dog). One card in particular that sits on my bookshelf, is my happy place, of a little pup, could not be more perfect, reminding me of a dog I had in my youth and inside was the message from Sam along with the back addressing my birthday date in his special talent of marking it with his home made calendar. Often as I sit and study and look to the shelf my memory would go to Sam given that such a gifted man had slipped away into the Abyss. But I choose to not go there but to remember him as I knew him. As noted, Sam had a connection to animals the death of an animal was personal to Sam, it was if he could feel the last heartbeat. Sam loved my girl Maggie and she so loved him, from her puppy stage which she never grew out of with her to adult years. She would hear Sam call her long before she would see him, Maggie, Maggie Mae he would call. She would be so excited she was beyond herself. She would squeal and jump with excitement. Oh how she loved him and of course the special little treats that he had for her. The wild rabbits that had made my back yard their home one year, I mowed my grass and once done I noticed a patch of grass that did not appear to be cut. When I went over to look and I touched it, it moved. Upon looking further, I found a hole with a family of tiny newborn bunnies. I shared this with Sam and his first and immediate concern was had I killed any of them and what was I going to do with them. I assured him that I was keeping them safe under a makeshift shelter and keep Maggie away until the mother came to get them. I remember the loss of his rabbit, we talked, he was so upset on the phone to the point of being beyond himself with grief. The pounds of peanuts in the trees for the squirrels and I am sure I have found a few in my front planters. Oh Sam, I will miss you walking by with your dogs, or the neighbour's dogs or for that matter any dog that found you. Such a gentle, caring person, a good friend, that never asked for anything in return. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but your memory will live on my friend. When I look at Maggie's picture, I hear your voice calling her. The years have gone far to quickly. Always yours friend....in Memory .Maxine... - Posted by: Maxine McInnis (Long time friend and neighbour) on: Mar 31, 2020

• What an excellent obituary. It beautifully reflects Sam’s personality. We met Sam the morning after our Husky had run off on a bitterly cold night. She was trailing her leash and we feared the worst. Sam tracked us down through her tag and phoned to say she was safe and had enjoyed a sleep-over in his house. Over the subsequent years we came to understand the depth of his love for animals and his extensive knowledge of the Silver Screen. We felt privileged to attend one of his Centennial Concert Hall lectures that he gave in conjunction with a Winnipeg Symphony concert. He was very kind, he was unique. We miss his presence in the neighbourhood. - Posted by: Patti & Ric Moodie (Neighbours.) on: Mar 30, 2020

• Sam was our most trusted friend, neighbour, and cat sitter for many years. Our cats loved him, and so did we. His open, kind and gentle nature made him many friends around our neighbourhood. So many residents in our area knew and appreciated Sam. When he took care of our cats he would always leave something special behind for us - photos of the cats (sometimes in frames), cat treats, and personal notes of kindness accentuated with his special cartoon characters drawn specially for us. We have missed Sam's presence in the recent years of his illness. Sam was unique and had a very big heart for animals and people alike - truly one of a kind! We truly miss Sam - may he rest in peace. We send our condolences to the entire family, as well as to Darlene. With Fond Memories, Linda and George Nykulaik - Posted by: Linda and George Nykulaik (Friends/neighbours) on: Mar 30, 2020

• I am very sorry to hear the sad news of Sammy's passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences. My heart is heavy for the family. I know how close the family is and I know he will be missed dearly. I still have all of the birthday cards Sammy made for my daughters, Carly and Madisson. He used to come into the office to visit Gary often. Sammy is the sweetest person one will ever know. He will never be forgotten. Hugs from Susan, Carly and Madisson Owen - Posted by: Susan Owen (Moniuk) (family friend) on: Mar 30, 2020

• Sam was unforgettable: kind, thoughtful, and unabashedly creative and eccentric. Everyone here knew him and his menagerie — including free-run dogs and leashed cat. Those who were very lucky received hand-written and -drawn notecards and maybe even a tour of the film fanatic's inner sanctuary and studio (and back room lovebird range). Sam, thank you for playing matchmaker for us with our beloved first dog Tubby. We, and our children, will always treasure the Christmas cards, photographs, unique illustrated notes, and of course Minuk's History. Peace. - Posted by: Thomas Steur & Christina (Neighbour) on: Mar 29, 2020

• I was very saddened to read of Sam's passing. What a beautifully-written obituary and tribute. He was, indeed, one of a kind. I had the good fortune to attend 3 years of Sam's lectures at the U of W. Aside from Sam's gift of story-telling and sense of humor, he was so genuine and just a lovely man! I will treasure all his cartoons and doodles, which I am so grateful I kept over the years. My condolences to the family, who he so fondly talked about many times during his lectures. R.I.P. Sam - Posted by: Joy French (Silver Screen Attendee at the University of Winnipeg) on: Mar 29, 2020

• I met Sam at the film class at the University of Winnipeg and was saddened to learn of his illness and now his passing. I enjoyed his witty analysis of the films he showed us. We had several very good talks during the time he taught those classes. He was especially intrigued because for a time I worked in Los Angeles area for a politician representing the Hollywood area and part of my job was to represent the Senator when Hollywood personalities had their star placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I was able to give him an upclose and personal description and a few times he used those words in his lecture. He was a “ gutte neshuma” and he will be remembered. - Posted by: Sharon Glass (Student in his film class) on: Mar 28, 2020

• In the late 1960’s Sam and I were students at university. Mornings around the lockers was always a time to hang out with Sam, whose quiet kindness and smiles made every day start out well. In the 70s I also saw him at his parents’ house, where he and I both enjoyed the company of the wonderful family dog, Latkes. Many years later we occasionally crossed paths at Rae and Jerry’s, after his and my teaching careers ended, and we would reminisce. His illness was incremental, and so sad in keeping him from communicating. He was a very sweet person in all my memories of him. - Posted by: Diane Lee (Friend from University of Winnipeg days) on: Mar 28, 2020

• Mr. Minuk taught me in around 1982/83 He was a wonderful teacher - I loved his gift of art in which he expressed by drawing cartoon characters -He was always kind, patient and tolerant- Thank you Mr M - you will never be forgotten Condolences to your family Kristen Holmes Marsh - Posted by: Kristen Holmes Marsh (Former Lockport junior high ) on: Mar 28, 2020

• May you rest in peace my friend! - Posted by: harvey saunders (friend ) on: Mar 28, 2020

• Sam was the kindest, gentlest person that I had the privilege of knowing as well as the most generous selfless devoted animal lover in the world. There will NEVER be another one like him. I cared deeply for him including my dogs Bandit, Mojo, Tucker, and even Rocky (aka the Biter). My dogs and Sam's many pets, including Bambi and Russell; and all the cats and dogs that Sam knew and cared for in the neighborhood are waiting with their loving outstretched paws for him at the Rainbow Bridge...Sam simply made the world and our neighborhood a better place. xoxox Katherine. - Posted by: Katherine Wong (Friend and beloved dog sitter) on: Mar 28, 2020

• Our condolences to your family on the loss of Sam. May his memory be for a blessing. We celebrated the life of Sammy on Weinberg 3 yesterday. I shared my memories of Sam coming to Gwen Secter and presenting his silver screen lectures. What a wonderful program and lively sense of humour he shared with us! In dedication to his memory we all listened to “as time goes by” from the Casablanca soundtrack. Many teary eyes noted. BDE - Posted by: Marilyn Regiec (Simkin centre spiritual care provider and former ED at Gwen Secter ) on: Mar 28, 2020