ABRAHAM BERENHAUT

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ABRAHAM BERENHAUT

Sadly, Uncle Abe has left the building. After a short illness he passed quietly on Friday, October 3, 2025, mid-morning.

As many know he was known as Uncle Abe to friends, business associates, and the tax payers he audited.

He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Toni and his children, Ken and Cindy of North Carolina, Arlene and Jeff in Southern California, and the loves of his life, grandchildren, Michael and Kristin and Madison (Maddy) and Danny in Southern California. The stars in his universe were his great-grandchildren, Ava, Derran and Aiden. He did not live to meet the newest member of the tribe who is due any day. He leaves his loving siblings, Lil, Adelle and Sheldon, Bob and Carol, and of course many Nephews, Nieces and Grand Nephews and Nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents, Menicha and Morris, the mother of his children Miriam Kamarofsky Berenhaut, and his Great-grandson Hunter Isaac Handley.

He was renowned for his sarcasm, and humour, most of which he wore on inappropriate tee shirts.

Life started out with much difficulty. The family legend is that he was born on a train heading into Siberia. His family fled in front of the Nazis heading east into Russia. They survived the Gulag because of his father’s work ethic. After the war and six years in Siberia Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the other Stans they made their way back to their Shtetl in Poland to find their property confiscated and nowhere to go. They became part of the mass of humanity moving west into American controlled Europe. With the help of the Red Cross in Germany Menicha’s sister found them and secured their passage to Winnipeg. Again because of the hard work and determination Morris succeeded in bringing his parents and siblings to Winnipeg.

Abe arrived in Winnipeg at the age of eight and made the news.

Life was hard but his parents stressed education over everything else. And after many false starts he was able to achieve his CGA certification and got his dream job with the Provincial Department of Finance as a tax auditor, in almost 30 years with the Department he retired as a supervisor. He was a mentor to a new generation of Auditors. He loved his job and the people he met. His job afforded him the opportunity to travel all over North America. Everyone knew Uncle Abe.

Abe was laid to rest Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, close to his parents. The family thanks Rabbi Carnie Rose for all he did for Abe and the family.

Donations are being accepted in the Toni and Abe Berenhaut Endowment Fund for Holocaust Education at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster St Unit C400. Winnipeg R2N 2B2. Or the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2025