MORTON HARVEY NEMY

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MORTON HARVEY NEMY Morton Harvey Nemy, a member of a pioneer Winnipeg family, a civic activist, a prominent Winnipeg lawyer, and a loving and devoted husband and father, died peacefully Tuesday, August 29, 2006 surrounded by his family at the St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 81. He is mourned by a large extended family and also by many friends in Winnipeg and abroad. Morton, son of the late Frances and Benjamin Nemy, was born on August 2 , 1925, in Winnipeg and spent his early years in Beausejour and Lac Du Bonnet. When his family returned to Winnipeg, he attended St. John's Tech where he was a member of the St. John's Tigers when they won the High School championship. He began his young adult life in active service during the Second World War as a member of the Fleet Air Arm and was attached to the HMCS Warrior, one of the first Canadian Fleet Air ships and saw service both in Canada and overseas. After his discharge, he moved to Toronto to further his education and in 1951, he graduated in Institutional Management from the University of Toronto. He then developed an interest in Law and returned to Winnipeg to study at the University of Manitoba Law School, graduating in 1956. His law practice, built on the cornerstones of trust, integrity and hard work, flourished to one of the largest independent practices in Winnipeg spanning a remarkable career of over 50 years. Most notably, his practice began to attract an international clientele in the area of real estate, where he focused most of his practice since the late 1980's and Morton was proud to count many of those overseas client's as some of his closest friends. Shortly following his graduation from law, he met, fell in love with, and in 1958 married his beloved wife, Nadine Elisabeth Parkin, a daughter of the late Jonathan (Jonty) Parkin, a Hall of Fame Rugby League player who Captained England on several international tours. Together they enjoyed their nearly 50 years filled with extensive travel, good times, the love of their three sons and cherished memories. Throughout the 1960's, while building his law practice and raising a family, Morton also was active politically, elected as a Councillor in the RM of Assiniboia and served as Chair of the Planning, Property and Development committee at the time. It was during his tenure in 1967 that the incorporation of the City of St. James - Assiniboia took place, which then led to Bill 36, the City of Winnipeg Act creating Unicity in 1971. In 1968, he was honoured at a dinner for his achievements and Nemy Crescent in St. James was named for him. At the same time Morton was also very active in the Optimist International Service organization. After joining in the early 1960's, he was very soon elected to President of his local St. James club. In the late 1960's, he was elected as Governor of the larger Dakotas-Manitoba-Minnesota District, and in 1972 Morton was elected as one of only 10 International Vice Presidents of the Optimist Organization. For his achievements, he was inducted as a Life Member in 1973. An avid sports enthusiast, his interest for sports developed in the early years with activities as diverse as swimming, water skiing, football, hockey and curling. In later years, he directed his sports focus towards golf and he and his foursome could always be counted on to set the pace as the first group off the tee every Saturday morning at the Glendale Golf and Country Club, where he was a member for over 40 years. He was active at Glendale serving on many committees as well as President of the club for two years instead of the usual one year, setting the trend for those that followed. However, one of his fondest sports memories was taking his father to Russia in 1972 to watch the famed Canada - Russia series in person. A devoted family man, Morton is survived by his wife and best friend Nadine; his sons, Garth, Robert and his wife Michelle, Wayne and his wife Lisa; eight grandchildren, Margaret, Zachary, Joshua, Conner, Alexandra, Adam, Daniel and David; one great-grandson Will and two sisters, Enid and Corinne. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 31 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Pallbearers were Craig Parkin and Wayne, Lisa, Robert, Michelle and Garth Nemy. Honorary pallbearers were Martin Cohn, Dick Bell, Douglas Hoffer, Dave Dveris, Harold Buchwald, Sam Prober, Alvin Kravetsky and John Muller. The family would like to extend its thanks to both Dr. David Breckman and Nicole at the Assiniboine Clinic, as well as the medical staff at the St. Boniface Hospital, in particular the nursing staff of the Medical ICU. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to the Nemy Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or a charity of their choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2006