Grocer.
Born in Poland on 7 January 1925 to Isaac “Edward” and Sarah Cantor, he moved with his family to Winnipeg in 1928. His father founded Cantor's Quality Meats and Groceries (later Cantor’s Meats) on Magnus Avenue, in the early 1940s. Together, with his twin brother, Oscar Cantor, he ran the highly successful business for over 70 years, which maintained its independence even as many small, privately-owned stores lost customers to supermarket chains.
His achievement was attributed to a strong work ethic, which he also instilled in his family and employees, his skill at management, and his compassion for the community he served. A source of great pride for him was the meat department, which was always an integral component of the company's success. An indication of his entrepreneurial nature was when he began shipping bulk meat to a location in Thompson, after learning that many people from that area were travelling to Winnipeg to shop at his store. In the 1980s, he rocked the local food industry by successfully lobbying for having milk pricing boards abolished. He felt items of necessity should be accessible to all, especially for those less fortunate. Through legislative changes he was able to eliminate the minimum price of milk. Over the years, he continued to wage battles in an effort to bring favourable pricing to his customers on other key food products, including bread and fish.
He enjoyed meeting and greeting his customers and engaging in conversations on a multitude of topics. His presence contributed to the store evolving into a social hub that made him one of Winnipeg's most recognizable individuals. In 2009, the Cantors expanded the business to a much larger space on Logan Avenue.
With his wife, Leah Stone (1931-2003), whom he married in 1956, he had four children. Together, after their children had grown, they made the weekly Sunday breakfast and dinner gatherings at their home an essential part of the family’s life. Next to his family and the store, his passion was cards; he especially enjoyed playing poker. Not one for travelling, he once curtailed a vacation in Hawaii after five days, claiming that there was not anything else to see, and he wanted to get back to the store.
The Cantor family was honoured with and supported the creation of the Red River Métis and Cantor’s Family Award. It was established for Red River Métis students enrolled in programs such as butcher/abattoir, culinary arts, or any agricultural Diploma or Certificate programs that focus on the study of livestock and processes used for the purpose of feeding people, or for entrepreneurs who plan to open their own butcher shop/grocery store or run their own farm.
He died at Winnipeg on 18 May and was buried in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. His son, Edward Cantor, took over the family business.
“Famous city grocer loved job, customers,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 May 2013.
“Winnipeg’s legendary grocer, Joe Cantor dies at 88,” Canadian Grocer, 22 May 2013.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 25 May 2013.
“The Red River Métis & Cantor’s Family Award,” Louis Riel Institute.
“Joseph ‘Joe’ Cantor,” Mellis Family Tree.
Joseph ‘Joe’ Cantor, FindAGrave.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 19 October 2026
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