Memorable Manitobans: Alexander “Alex” Spinak (1917-2006)

Denturist.

Born in Russia on 21 January 1917 to Felix and Miriam Szpinak, he lost both parents to the Holocaust. After the war, he met Miriam Rotbart (1919-2000) in Warsaw, Poland and they married in 1948, going on to have two children. In 1951, they came to Winnipeg. There, he became publicly recognized as the Father of Denturism for successfully leading the fight to legalize the Denturists of Manitoba and provide service directly to the public. He served as a President (1983-1989) of the Denturist Association of Manitoba. He and his wife contributed their stories to the Canadian Collection of Holocaust survivor testimonies. He died at Winnipeg on 14 September 2006.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 16 September 2006.

“Alexander Spinak,” University of California (USC) Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive.

“Miriam Spinak,” Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre.

Our History, Denturist Association of Manitoba.

This page was prepared by Lois Braun.

Page revised: 20 March 2024

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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