ARCHIBALD (ARCH) HAROLD HONIGMAN

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ARCHIBALD (ARCH) HAROLD
HONIGMAN

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Arch Honigman on Thursday, September 23, 2021. He was 61. Arch died of complications from COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated and following public health guidelines. Arch didn't leave the world without love by his side; his wife, sister-in-law and some close friends were beside him at the end.
Arch is survived by his loving wife Joanna Biondi; her parents, Guido and Janice Biondi; Joanna's sister Laureen Wilson, her husband Greg Wilson, and his adored nephew and niece, Matteo and Chiara. Also mourning his loss are Lenore Kagan, who was like a mom to him, and all the Kagans who treated him as family, his sister Brenda, brother-in-law Arnie, and nephews, Shafer and Brody, of Toronto, and the Lerner family from Edmonton. Arch was predeceased by his father Sam, his mother Edith (Lerner), and brother Gary Honigman, who died when he was just 12.
Arch was born in Winnipeg to humble beginnings and raised in the family home behind their grocery store in the North End. He attended Garden City Collegiate but found school difficult. His high school principal and guidance counselor told his father, "Not all Jewish boys become doctors and lawyers. Arch will never attend university." But Arch proved them wrong. He received a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg in 1981, moved to the Faculty of Architecture at University of Manitoba and completed his master's degree in City Planning in 1985. His thesis was entitled, "Downtown vs. Suburban Shopping Centres: Measuring the Shift of Winnipeg's Retail Function." Arch's thesis proved he had predicted correctly. He thrived in university, energized by the challenge and hard work. He found his calling and began setting some lofty goals.
Arch was immediately hired at Qualico as a land planner. Decades later, he could still recite the streets he named in River Park South and other areas he helped develop. In 1987, the man who loved playing Monopoly as a kid began making the game his reality. He and business partner Jeff Rabb started Dorchester Developments Ltd., with just one duplex and a rooming house as their office. Later, the company became Winpark Dorchester Properties Ltd., and was one of Winnipeg's largest residential property management companies. His passion was buying heritage and distressed properties, and renovating them, reinventing old buildings into new-found treasures in neighborhoods such as Wolseley and Osborne Village. At the height of Arch's career, high-rise apartments and commercial buildings were in the company's portfolio. Arch hired many employees and tradespeople for their construction projects. He treated these individuals and their families like gold, and they, in turn, adored him.
Even with all his accolades, media attention and awards received, he never forgot his humble beginnings. Arch was charismatic, approachable and down to earth. He listened to people and made them feel important. He believed people should be treated as equals, no matter their social status. A North End kid, the son of a Holocaust survivor, he was proud he achieved his goals and dreams on his own, even putting himself through school. He had proved many wrong and always shared his story, especially with youth, letting them know dreams can be achieved with hard work and dedication. Over the last few years, he mentored many university students and graduates, who were captivated by his story and eager for his guidance.
Arch was successful in business and, most importantly, was a very good man, a mensch, a Yiddish term he loved. Arch faced many obstacles and hardships in his life, but he conquered them with grace. He was kind, charming, soft spoken and gifted with a meticulous memory. He was generous to friends and family, and so many were on the receiving end of his massive, Hollywood-style floral arrangements, the largest boxes of chocolates that Morden's produced, and unique, thoughtful souvenirs from his global travels. He loved 70s music, dancing, pop culture, Seinfeld, People Magazine, biographies, great steak houses, taking photos, biking, the beach, travel and MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY. If you had a problem, he could usually find the solution in his large book of contacts, which had the numbers of every sub-contractor and businessperson in Winnipeg. He knew how to schmooze and do it eloquently. He was better than LinkedIn, a true networker, all in the name of making life easier for people. Arch's mission in life was contentment and tried to help others achieve it. He hated stress and did anything to evade it.
Family and friends were very important to Arch. He was so grateful to his father, Sam, a single father for many years. Arch recognized how difficult it was and the sacrifices his father made. Arch also had a private and beautiful relationship with his mother, Edith. Arch was extremely good to her, especially later as an adult, and helped her as much as he could. Arch always said his determination and work ethic were gifts from his father, while his kindness and gentle soul came from his mother.
When he was 50, Arch met the love of his life, Joanna. They were together for 11 remarkable years, enduring many hurdles with a commitment and devotion that are to be envied. While dating, both faced and struggled with cancer, within mere months of each other. They were married in May of 2017 in nothing short of a fairy tale wedding, the kind Arch had dreamed of. Joanna, who is Italian-Catholic, and Arch, who was Jewish, joined together with admiration and respect for each other's culture and religion. Their love was the richer for it -- strong, unconditional and eternal. It was meant to be …b'shert, destino, destiny.
With Joanna came the Biondi and Wilson families, who Arch adored very much, and he wasn't shy to tell them that almost every day. Family was something Arch yearned for and felt blessed to have them in his life. He made regular visits with Guido and Janice a priority and saw Matteo and Chiara almost every day since they were pre-schoolers. He enjoyed every minute with them, a proud uncle cheering on their talents and interests. Laureen and Greg were so much more than sister-in-law and brother-in law to Arch. He was blessed to have them in his life.
Arch's close circle of beloved friends were like family to him. They were an incredible support system, in good days and bad. Arch always told Joanna if he ever passed before her, his friends would guide her every step of the way, making sure her hand was held during the necessary funeral arrangements (in Jewish tradition). Once again, his friends did not fail him, people such as Linda and Elliot Katz, Joy Kaufman and Eric Cohen, Mitch and Marcia Cosman, Gerald and Carol Levin, Perry Rose and Marlene Reiss. As well, Paolo Di Curzio, Joe Tummillo and Joel Kay were always very kind to Arch. Their friendships were also a gift. Arch had cousins, whom he adored and were always a part of his life, such as Shirley Broder and family, Evelyn and Alec Gillman and family, and Irwin Isenstein and family of Toronto.
Arch's graveside funeral was held at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Sunday, September 26, on a warm, sunny day with a sky as blue as Arch's eyes. It was officiated by the gifted Rabbi Matthew Leibl.
Pallbearers were his treasured friends, Elliot Katz, Mitch Cosman, Gerald Levin, Mark Kagan, Tom Blumberg and Aaron Nudler. Honorary pallbearers were Perry Rose and Jeff Rabb. Graciously in Castelpetroso, Molise, Italy, at the beautiful Church of San Martino, childhood church of Arch's father-in-law, Guido, a Mass was held in Arch's honour for the Biondi and Wilson families.
A special thank you to Dr. Greg Wilson and Dr. Mitch Cosman for their ongoing medical support and direction throughout the years, Dr. Marni Wiseman (St. Marni) for gifting Arch many more years after his battle with melanoma, and Dr. Tom Hayakawa, for his amazing care post cancer.
Thank you to Arch's family physician, Dr. Alvin Schroeder, for his almost 20 years of care. A heartfelt thank you to St. Boniface Hospital, ER Dr. Robert Gourlay and team, 2nd Floor ICU Dr. Kendiss Olafson and Dr. Johann Strumpher and team. Our gratitude for the compassionate care that was given. Arch received the best care possible, and they kept him at ease in such a storm. We are beyond appreciative for the modern technology provided to communicate and be with Arch countless hours each day. Finally, we are eternally grateful for allowing us the opportunity to be there with Arch in his final moments.
Those who would like to donate in Arch's memory, please consider the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation or CancerCare Manitoba; or, we encourage you to donate to a charity of your choice. Arch would be thankful and honoured.
Each person is given the gift of time to live, to love and to leave a legacy. Arch certainly did that and so much more. We wish we had Arch with us for much longer but are grateful for the precious moments we shared.

Rest in peace Arch.
We love you very much.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 2021