SHELDON OBERMAN

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SHELDON OBERMAN Died with his family by his side on Friday, March 26, 2004 at St. Boniface Hospital. He was 54. Sheldon is survived by his wife Lisa Dveris, children, Adam, Mira and Jesse, and mother Dorothy Oberman (Dot Dobie). He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Marcey Dveris, Nori Korsunsky and their families, and many close and loyal friends. He was predeceased by his father, Allan in 1995. Born on May 20, 1949 in Winnipeg, Sheldon (known to friends as Obie) grew up in Winnipegs North End. After graduating from St. Johns High School, Sheldon studied literature first at the University of Winnipeg and then at the University of Jerusalem. His wandering spirit took him on adventures through Canada, Europe and the Middle East before he returned to Winnipeg in 1973 where he received his teaching degree and married his first wife Lee Ann Block. In 1975, Sheldon started working as an English and Drama teacher at Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate, a job he held and loved for nearly 30 years, inspiring generations of students. In 1985 he met Lisa Dveris who became his wife and life partner. Sheldon started writing in the mid-seventies, inspired by bedtime stories he told his children. An important development in his career as a writer was the summer he spent at the Banff School of Fine Arts where he studied under the great Canadian author W.O. Mitchell. Sheldons creativity knew no bounds. He published 12 books, including: The award winning Always Prayer Shawl, The Shamans Nephew (short-listed for the Governor Generals Award) and, most recently, The Island of the Minotaur. A two-volume collection of Jewish folk tales will be published posthumously. He acted and directed in both film and stage plays. He toured North America as a professional storyteller. He wrote columns and freelance articles for the Winnipeg Free Press and published childrens songs, stories and poems in a number of magazines, journals and anthologies. Sheldon was also a garage sale fanatic who used found objects to create art installations which he displayed in his home and writing studio. A funeral service was held at Congregation Etz Chayim with interment at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Monday, March 29. Pallbearers were Billy Brodovsky, Richard Greene, Walter Isaac, Lyle Korsunsky, Neil Mackinnon and Drew Perry. Shiva will be observed at 822 Dorchester Ave. until Sunday noon. The family would like to thank the entire staff on 7A West for the kindness, support and incredible generosity with which they cared for both Sheldon and his family. Heartfelt thanks are also extended to Dr. Alex Vajcner, Dr. Paul Daeninck and Dr. Raymond Deutscher for their kindness, compassion, and skill which provided great comfort and guidance to Sheldon and his family throughout his illness. Sheldons memory will live on through his stories, books, web site (www.sheldonoberman.com) and the many lives he shaped and touched. Donations may be made to The Sheldon Oberman Writing Award (Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate) at The Gray Academy, The Manitoba Writers Guild Sheldon Oberman Emerging Writers Program, or CancerCare Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 03, 2004