WILLIAM (BILL) TAX

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WILLIAM (BILL) TAX Bill Tax passed away peacefully at the Seven Oaks General Hospital on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the age of 94. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Esther on June 22, 2004. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Charles, Susan and Stephen. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Sam Hamer and Ben Torchinsky. Bill was born on September 26, 1918 in Benito, Manitoba. His parents were Sam and Molly Tax, cattle dealers who owned a general store in Benito. Bill was predeceased by his siblings Annie Feldman, Bertha Fox, Hy Tax and Bessie Earn. Immediately after graduating Law School in 1942, Bill enlisted in officer training at Gordonhead on Vancouver Island. A front page photo in the Winnipeg Tribune titled From Gowns to Khaki included Bill and three classmates. Bill was a captain in the artillery of the First Canadian Division of the Eighth British Army. He fought in the Italian campaign, starting in Sicily and including Cassino, one of the most famous, bitterly fought battles of the Second World War. He ended the war in the Netherlands. For his military service, he was awarded medals and letters of commendation. From 1946 to 1989, he practiced law mainly as a sole practitioner. In 1949 he married Esther (nee Pearlman) in Calgary. They had a wonderful marriage. They travelled extensively and enjoyed the Winnipeg Symphony, Manitoba Opera and Manitoba Theatre Centre. After Esther passed away in June 2004, the family's most important focus was transitioning Susan into the Shalom Residences Inc. organization. On September 25, 2005 Susan joined Roz and Audrey in the lovely Shalom group home on Daffodil Street. Susan loves the Daffodil home and she loves Shalom Residences. Once Bill saw how happy Susan was, he was very content, nothing else really concerned him. The Tax family thanks the visionaries who formed Shalom Residences Inc. over 30 years ago, the board members and governors, the wonderful dedicated Shalom staff and the individuals and organizations who have supported Shalom Residences Inc. and Shalom Residences Foundation Inc. Bill had two favourite hobbies. The first was playing cards. He played bridge, poker and his favourite game, gin rummy. He played for many years, first at the Winnipeg Bridge Club and then the Montefiore Club. He served as president of both organizations. The second hobby was the sport of thoroughbred horse racing. He owned race horses for over 30 years. He loved to go to the racetrack in the early morning to watch the horses train. In 1984 the racing authorities started an annual championship day of racing named the Breeders' Cup. From 1987 to 1995, Bill and Charles joined with a group and attended six Breeders' Cups. These were held in various locales including Kentucky, Florida, New York, and California. Bill was still wagering on simulcast horse races at age 94. Services were held on Friday, February 22 at Congregation Etz Chayim. Interment was at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Darren Earn, David Earn, Joe Eskow, Myron Love, Jack Shapiro and Robby Sneiderman. If so desired, donations in Bill's memory may be made to Shalom Residences Inc., Versatech Charitable Foundation Inc. or the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 02, 2013