HAROLD KIVES

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HAROLD KIVES August 20, 1937 - September 4, 2010 After living with Parkinson's for more than 15 years, Harold Kives died on Saturday, September 4 at the age of 73. A father, husband, accountant, athlete and extremely loyal friend, Harold struggled with neurological illness for 15 years but managed to die peacefully and with great dignity, with his wife and family at his side, after a brief but very serious infection. Born in Winnipeg and raised in the North End, Harold spoke Yiddish as a small child. He attended St. John's High School before enrolling at the University of Manitoba, which awarded him the silver medal in chartered accountancy. Harold had a brilliant mind. He had a gift for navigating Canadian tax law and found his talents in great demand throughout this career. After graduation, he worked for Burke Newman and Nitikman Linhart and played a role in the establishment of Arthur Andersen in Winnipeg in the 1960s. In the early 1970s, he joined his brother Raymond and cousin Phil at K-Tel International, where he served as chief financial officer until the mid-1980s. During his time with the Winnipeg-based multinational corporation, K-Tel - which marketed everything from music to miracle brushes - was among the fastest- growing companies in the world. In the mid-1980s, he and Raymond left K-Tel and formed a company called R-Tek, which soon became Quality Dino, which also sold music and television-advertised merchandise. Harold left Quality Dino in the 1990s and worked for technology firm Quantic before he was forced to retire earlier than expected due to an aggressive and debilitating form of Parkinson's. Happily, he formed many strong relationships throughout his life. He married Nurit in 1962 and had three children - Ronni, Cheryl and Bartley - during a marriage that lasted 23 years. He later met Donna Wilson, whom he married in 1989. Harold and Donna enjoyed each other's company and shared many interests and activities, including dancing, golfing, downhill-skiing and travelling. They particularly enjoyed three trips to the north shore of Hawaii. They also spent time at the cottage on Lake Winnipeg and shared a love of animals, especially dogs. Harold was also very fond of music, but was truly passionate about sports. He played squash with a competitive zeal that occasionally surprised other members of the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club, where he was a member for almost a quarter-century. Harold also loved watching sports, especially the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Winnipeg Jets. He enjoyed war movies and anything featuring Jack Nicholson. He also served the Jewish community as a volunteer and philanthropist. He won the Harry Silverberg Leadership Development Award and served as president of the Board of Jewish Education. Harold is predeceased by his mother Rose. He leaves behind his wife, his children, his father Joe and his wife Claire, his grandson Shai Belfer (son of Ronni), his brother Raymond and his family and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Harold's family is extremely grateful for the care and compassion extended over the years by the staff at the Sharon Home facilities on both Magnus Avenue and Falconridge Drive, his caregivers Marta, Esther and Sandy, the staff at the emergency room at Victoria General Hospital and the staff at both the Movement Disorder Clinic and speech therapy unit at Deer Lodge. A special mention must also be made to the psychogeriatric unit at Seven Oaks Hospital, led by Dr. Shane. These caring people provided Harold with the independence he needed until his very final hours. A funeral service for Harold will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7 at Chesed Chel Emes Jewish Funeral Chapel, 1023 Main St., followed by burial at Hebrew Sick Cemetery, 2605 McPhillips St. A reception will follow from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club, 275 Stradbrook Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harold's memory to the Sharon Home, which is also known as the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, by calling Janet at 589-9014.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 07, 2010