LEONARD REMIS

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LEONARD REMIS Peacefully, on October 16, 2007, in his 96th year, Leonard (Lanny) Remis passed away at his home. Lanny is survived by Esther, his wife of 67 years; by his children, Paul and Maureen Remis, Carla and Ken Goldstein, Joel and Susan Remis; by his grandchildren, Kevin, Stacey, Ben, Lauren, Michael, Jonathan, Jennifer, Katie, Megan and Katie; and by his great-granddaughter, Emma. He is also survived by his sister, Gloria Brown, and by his many nieces and nephews. Lanny was predeceased by his brother Bernie in 1990. Lanny was born on July 2, 1912. He grew up in Winnipeg's North End, first attending Machray School and later St. John's Tech. He also attended the Arbeiter Ring School, which he credited for creating his strong social democratic principles. He received his B.A. from the University of Manitoba in 1933. After graduation, Lanny continued to work with the Remis Sign Company, the business his father had started in 1919. On September 12, 1939, only two days after Canada entered the Second World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Army. Assigned to the Royal Canadian Artillery, he served until discharged in 1945, attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In 1940, he married Esther Shnier, a marriage that would last for over 67 years. Throughout their life, Lanny and Esther were inseparable and completely devoted to each other. Summers were spent at the family cottage at Falcon Lake, winter holidays in Florida and later Palm Springs. From 1945 to 1965, he worked with his brother Bernie, to build Remis Signs into a leader in outdoor advertising. After the war, Lanny discovered a sport that would become a cornerstone of his life golf. He joined the Glendale Golf and Country Club in 1947. He was an active and dedicated member, and in 1965 was elected president. He was also an active and dedicated member of the YMHA, and served as its president from 1960 - 1962. In 1965, when Lanny was 53, he and Bernie decided to sell Remis Signs. Retirement for Lanny was anything but conventional. Within a year of selling the business, he decided to return to the University of Manitoba as a graduate student in history. In 1970, Lanny interrupted his studies, serving first as Manitoba's Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, and later as Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Board. As deputy minister, he traveled widely to promote Manitoba, including trips to Israel, Czechoslovakia and China. He retired from government service in 1977, but his life remained as active as before. In 1981, he completed his thesis and received his Master's Degree in History. In 1986, he founded the Canadian Club of the Desert, in Palm Springs California, which was the first branch of the Canadian Club located outside of Canada. Around this time, he also established a luncheon group that met weekly to hear speakers and discuss ideas. Lanny led those discussions for over 20 years, and was still attending as recently as a few weeks ago. His success with the luncheon group also spawned an annual spring seminar series on a variety of Jewish issues. Finally, during his retirement , Lanny was able to combine his love of history and golf when he edited the Glendale Country Club 50th Anniversary Yearbook in 1997. His life is characterized by his devotion to his wife and family, his passion for ideas, and his strong community service. Funeral service for Lanny Remis was held on October 19, 2007, at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Pallbearers were Kevin Goldstein, Ben Goldstein, Michael Remis, Jonathan Remis, Adam Rosner and Daniel Shnier. We would like to thank Dr. Jack Rusen, Beverly Nord and the WRHA Homecare Program, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and his caregivers, including Joy, Lydia, Cecille and Lucilla, for their exceptional care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations in Lanny's memory may be made to: The Leonard Remis Award in Canadian History at the University of Manitoba, c/o Department of Development Advancement Services, 179 Extended Education Complex, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2 (474-9195); or: The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Suite C400, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B2 (477-7525).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 22, 2007