J. F. REEH TAYLOR

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(... continued) J. F. REEH TAYLOR, Q.C. He served as a Director on the Board of Prairie Public Television and also on the Board of Winnipeg Crime Stoppers, becoming an Honorary Member. He felt privileged to act as Fundraising Chair for L'Arche in Winnipeg. Dad was legal counsel to the University of Winnipeg, and helped to produce The University of Winnipeg Act. During that time he also developed alliances with other solicitors who provided advice to Canadian universities. He was involved in the founding of the Canadian Association of University Solicitors and, later, served as its President and as a member of its U.S. counterpart. In 2007 he was admitted as a Fellow of the University of Winnipeg. Dad was a longstanding member of the Manitoba Club and proud of its honourable and evolving traditions. He served as President in 1985. Shortly before his passing, it brought him great pleasure to receive word that the Club had made him an Honorary Life Member. Dad was a driving force behind the creation of the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. He served as President (and eventually Director Emeritus) of the Manitoba Opera Association, was Founding President (and then President Emeritus and Member of the Advisory Board) of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Co-Chair of the Eckhardt-Grammaté Music Competition, and a Founding Board Member of the Virtuosi Concerts (MB) Inc. Dad considered himself blessed by his family, his many friends, all of the men and women at Taylor McCaffrey, his colleagues in the legal profession and this city. And, being Reeh, he was grateful for a life full of music, literature and poetry. He had a poet's soul, light-hearted come what may, and thought a life without music hardly worth living. In his view, he had a multitude of good reasons to get up every morning and to greet the world, as he put it, "with at least the semblance of a smile". Dad shared Jean Vanier's values of friendship and fraternity, and was ever mindful of the needs of the disadvantaged and marginalized in our society. He stood up for the right things, led by example, was respectful, considerate and compassionate of others, gave credit where credit was due (and sometimes even when it wasn't!), reminded himself constantly of the people and things for which he was grateful and actually said so out loud. He enjoyed a good meal, a decent bottle of wine, collegiality and conversation, and loved the English language. He did not sweat the small stuff but kept his remarkable sense of humour, remaining curious and genuinely open-minded about the world around him. He loved his wife and children, and everyone they brought into his acquaintance. He tried simply, consciously and every day to be a good person. His was a truly generous spirit and a life of inestimable achievement, profoundly well-lived. Dad received excellent care from Doctors Wiebe, Kroeker, and the rest of the staff on the 8th Floor Palliative Care Ward at the St. Boniface Hospital and, in the short time he was there, repeatedly expressed his appreciation for their efforts. We express our thanks too. We will be celebrating Dad's life with a party at the Fort Garry Hotel on Friday, January 15, 2016, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. We invite his friends and ours to join us for a glass of wine (or two), some hors d'oeuvres, and a few reminiscences. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Virtuosi Concerts (MB) Inc., the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Inc., or Manitoba Opera Association, Inc., or another organization of your choosing. That would have gladdened Dad's heart, and will lift ours. Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2015