WALLY GUBERMAN

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WALLY GUBERMAN With deepest sorrow we mourn the passing of Wally Guberman. With courage and determination, Wally sought to extend his life, but it was not to be. With his wife Lil and family by his side, he passed away January 10, 2003 at the age of 88. Predeceased by his parents, Aaron and Basya; sister Molly Madick; brother Norman Guberman; and daughter Sandra. Surviving him is his wife Lil; sister Sophie Bendel (Toronto) daughter Marla (Henry) Berchard; and three granddaughters, Fairen, Sefirah and Hannah (Victoria, BC). Wally was born in Polona, Ukraine in 1914 and came to Winnipeg in 1921 with his family to join his father who had immigrated seven years before. In 1941 he held a managerial position in Trail, BC which led him to his future bride, Lily Rose. They married in 1945 and had three children, Brian, Sandra and Marla. With a sense of family duty, Wally helped his widowed sister salvage a faltering glove manufacturing business. Without any knowledge of the making of gloves, it was a challenge, but with his penchant for work and determination, the business prospered. The Goodwear Glove Company became highly regarded in the industry. When the business was sold in 2000, Wally remained consultant at age 85. Wally thoroughly enjoyed his two breakfast clubs. One he met weekends in the north end, exchanging stories and jokes, the other daily, in the south end with much spirit and wit. The large and entertaining group of men (average age 80) who met weekly at the Viscount was also a favourite. A weekly Penny Ante Poker Group, formed 56 years ago with the original five couples exists to this day. Sadly, only seven members remain of these longtime, very dear friends. Wally loved being part of his Tuesday night Duplicate Bridge Club. Most of the players were Life Masters or higher, besides being 15 to 20 years younger, yet they respectfully accepted him as their peer. He proved to be a strong competitor and became a Life Master in 2002. Wally loved sports and in earlier years was a top ranked ping pong and tennis player. He curled with the Sunrise Curling Club and bowled with the BNai Brith League. Telling jokes was an indispensable part of his life, and over the years he acquired an extensive repertoire which he masterfully told. Wally was a wonderful human being, a devoted and loving husband, patient, kind and generous. He was philanthropic and always a gentleman. For over 65 years, the same caring friends remained loyal and steadfast. Gert and Dave Silver, Edith (Max) Minuk, Annette (Max) Rosenberg, Fay and Av Katz, Becky and Harry Rosenberg, Kurt (Pearl) Terhoch, Kitty (Abe) Silver and recently, Cecile and Sam Meyers. He was "Uncle Wally" to many of the children of these friends. These adopted nieces and nephews were an integral part of his life, especially Carol Maslovsky and Barbara Jerome. He was blessed with a loving family of nieces, nephews and cousins. His daughters visit and numerous phone calls were loving and endearing. Especially close were Geitie Kramer, Sheldon Bendel, Lil and Chuck Frohlich and Harold Madick. Their support knew no bounds, no task was too difficult, their love and concern was always a comfort. Left to mourn is his wife Lil of 57 years. They were soul mates, sharing their inner feelings with love, compassion and consideration. When tragedy visited them, they leaned on each other so they could stand up straight. Special thanks to nephew Dr. Arnold Frohlich for his unrelentless concern and compassion, to Dr. Gerry Minuk and Dr. Robert Corne for their love and many visits. Wally touched the lives and hearts of many and will be sadly missed. Funeral services were held January 12 at Etz Chayim, interment at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. Pallbearers were Rube Helman, Barry Guberman, Joel Maslovsky, David Rich, Sheldon Bendel and Arnold Frohlich.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2003