Ice cream maker.
Born at Fort William [now Thunder Bay], Ontario on 20 April 1938, son of Abe Bass (1908-2005) and Gloria Orloff (1914-2015), he came to Winnipeg to attend university. Known for his sarcastic wit and business acumen, he founded Dutch Maid Ice Cream in the Osborne Village area, becoming known as the “Emperor of Ice Cream” and distributing his products across western Canada. He also managed rental properties in and around Osborne Village. He was married to Lynn Carol Finkleman with whom he had three children, including Jonathon Bass (1969-1992), before divorcing in 1977. His later partner was Darlene. He died at Winnipeg on 14 May 2025 and was buried in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Obituary [Harry Finkleman], Winnipeg Tribune, 19 July 1962, page 16.
Obituary [Jonathon Bass], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 July 1992, page 34.
Obituary [Abe Bass], Winnipeg Free Press, 20 July 2005.
Obituary [Gloria Bass], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 October 2015.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 17 May 2025.
Winnipeg Divorce File Index, 1917-1984, Archives of Manitoba.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 14 May 2026
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