HARRY RUBINFELD

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HARRY RUBINFELD After a lengthy struggle with advanced diabetes and kidney disease, Harry Rubinfeld passed away peacefully on Monday, January 24, 2000. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 43 years, Doreen; his three daughters, Sandy Rubinfeld, Renee Billauer, and Andrea (Sasson) Levy; former son-in-law Eli Billauer; his sister Toby Koffman and sister-in-law Pearl Rosenberg; and grandchildren, Daniel, Tamar and Meirav Levy, Adiv and Cobi Billauer; and his nieces and nephews. Harry was born in Winnipeg November 18, 1930 to Moishe and Freda Rubinfeld, and lived here all his life. In 1957, he joined his father and partners Ben Cohen and Meyer Rudelier at Stella Produce. They were a closely-knit group of friends who seemed more like family than business partners. Harry initiated the modernization of the business by bringing in state-of-the-art machinery and took them from old-world practices into the modern age. He served as President of the Manitoba Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Later on, Richard Ross became a partner. Harry at all times conducted his business affairs according to his strong code of ethics: he was always honourable, loyal and fair and had a tremendous amount of integrity. These qualities made him greatly liked, admired and respected by his business associates, employees and all who knew him. Harrys community involvement started early as a young member of the Beit YaAcov choir and as an active member of the YMHA. His leadership qualities made him a valued member of the organizations he belonged to. He was a primary founder of the Bel Acres Golf Course. Harry spent many happy years as an active participant at the Hebrew Fraternal Lodge, and served two terms as President there, and later continued with the Montefiore Club. He was instrumental in coordinating the YMHAs Reunion, as well as the St. Johns Tech 75th Anniversary Reunion. He was a Fund-raising Chair of several organizations including the Shalom Home Residence, the Rosh Pina, and ORT. In later years, he fund-raised for the CNIB and the Kidney Foundation. Throughout his life, Harrys unfailing generosity was demonstrated time and again by his large contributions to various causes. Harry never refused a friend in need, and always gave in the most generous spirit, without expecting anything in return. Harry was an avid sports fan. When he was younger, he enjoyed tennis, basketball and bowling. At 19, he won the City Bowling Championship. He also coached Little League Baseball. Later, he loved curling, bowling, and most of all golfing, and won numerous trophies in all these sports. Going to the horseraces was a favourite pastime of his, as was playing cards. He was known by his friends as a real gin-rummy whiz. Harry also greatly enjoyed discussing and debating politics and news of the world. He had an inventive mind for practical items such as the car headlight mechanism, and came up with ideas over the years that were ahead of their time. Harry had a lifelong passion for music, especially jazz and big band. Although he didnt have any formal music training, Harry had a lovely tenor voice. He passed down this love of music to his three daughters. Harry used to say, "I never met a person I didnt like", and everyone who met him liked him too. He had many, many friends from all walks of life. He was a man of exceptional charm and charisma. We all delighted in his wonderful sense of humour. Family was of utmost importance to Harry, and he always encouraged his daughters to be close. He strongly believed in forgiveness and in "turning the other cheek" and showed us this through his actions. He was a true "mentsch". Harrys greatest concern was his wife and children; his greatest joy was his grandchildren. In later years, when illness diminished his quality of life, Harrys grandchildren gave his life substance and meaning. He was especially looking forward to the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of his eldest grandson Daniel. Funeral services were held on January 26 at the Rosh Pina Synagogue, officiated by Rabbi Neal Rose and Cantor Jerry Daien, with eulogies given by his nephew Gerry Koffman and Harrys daughter Renee Billauer. Pallbearers were Frank Dahle, Joshua Koffman, Drew Moyer, Bruce Palansky, Jack Raber and Rob Yusim. The family offers special thanks to Dr. Verelli and all the staff at the Dialysis Unit of St. Boniface Hospital, to the staff at the CNIB, and to the management and staff of No. 1 Evergreen Place. Donations in his memory may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to the Diabetes or Kidney Foundation. "He did it his way."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2000