Executive, business manager.
Born at Winnipeg on 5 April 1923, to Sam Gershman and Freda Pasmanka, his parents and five siblings had immigrated to Canada in 1917. He attended Aberdeen School and St. John’s High School before graduating from United College with degrees in both Arts and Social Work.
A veteran of the Second World War, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force before beginning his professional career. He served as the first Executive Director of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue for nine years. In 1957, he moved to Miami, Florida to serve as the Executive Director of the Beth David Synagogue in Miami, returning to Winnipeg in 1960. He later transitioned into hospitality, working as the Manager of the Glendale Golf and Country Club and then as the General Manager of the Charterhouse Hotel until his retirement in 1995.
He was widely recognized for his contributions to the hospitality and tourism industry, earning the nickname “Mr. Manitoba”. He served on numerous committees and boards, receiving many honours, including the City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (2007) and Winnipeg Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award of Distinction (2012), marking a six-decade career as a Winnipeg booster. He was also a motivational speaker for senior citizen groups and organizations, advocating for healthy living.
In 1949, he married Gloria Lipchen (1929-2025) and together they raised three children. An avid athlete, he played hockey, football, soccer, and golf.
He passed away at the Victoria Hospital on 13 June 2016 and was buried at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Birth registration [George Gershman], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 25 June 2016.
Obituary [Gloria Gershman], Winnipeg Free Press, 25 October 2025.
This page was prepared by Zeel Bulsara.
Page revised: 28 April 2026
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