HARVEY (NARUZNY) NAIRN

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HARVEY (NARUZNY) NAIRN With saddened hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Harvey Nairn on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at the age of 72. Harvey was predeceased by his parents Morris and Frances (Naruzny) Nairn and in-laws Jack and Ruth Chernick Greenberg, and Dr. Ted Greenberg. Harvey will be terribly missed by his wife Roslyn, son and daughter-in-law Marshall and Sandy Naruzny, grandchildren Matthew and Mikaela, his daughter and son-in-law Jackie and Harel Alkalai, grandchildren Alon and Andrea. Brother Ernie Nairn and partner Bernice Chorney, sister and brother-in-law Corinne and Harvey Ackerman, brothers-in-law Aubrey and Joyce Chernick, Gerald and Elizabeth Chernick, cousin Sharon Ostin, his nieces and nephews, Shannon Schribman and family, Richard Nairn and family, Corey Ackerman and family and Debi Wesa and family. Born in Winnipeg, May 20, 1935, Harvey spent his childhood years in Ituna, Buchanan, and Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. His family moved to Winnipeg in 1953 where Harvey attended St. Johns Tech. During his late teens, Harvey, an accomplished pianist, was very involved in the local Winnipeg music scene with the Swingtones. He was also an active member of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization and later served as an assistant director. Harvey spent almost his entire career in the hospitality industry. He initially found his niche in the catering business Imperial Foods , supplying prepared sandwiches, hotdogs, and hamburgers to hotels and smaller lunch establishments. His entry into hotel management came when he supervised the conversion of the Kings Motel on Pembina Highway into the first Ramada Inn in Winnipeg. He moved on to become the assistant manager at the International Inn. In 1970, Harvey was hired to manage the Viscount Gort Hotel and spent almost four decades as the hotel's general manager. He left to join the 1999 Pan Am Games Host Society where he was the Vice President of Accommodation and Food Services. Following the games he managed the Canad Inns Polo Park for two years, before returning once again to the Viscount Gort Hotel in 2004. Over his lifetime Harvey made many major contributions to his community, and the hospitality industry that he served so well. He earned the highest respect from his peers, many associates, and friends. His list of contributions included: Past President of the Manitoba Hotel Association and Temple Shalom Synagogue. He served on the Board of Directors of Rainbow Stage, The Hecla Island Resort, and the Manitoba Theater for Young People. He was a member of the St. James Rotary Club, the Lions, and Kiwanis Clubs. He was also a Past Chief Barker of the Winnipeg Variety Club. Whenever the Blue Bombers, the Jets, amateur, or university sports teams called for help, Harvey was always there, providing any assistance they required. When a major sporting event was awarded to Winnipeg, Harvey served in whatever capacity he could. He eagerly got involved in the Grey Cup Games, both World Junior Hockey Championships, and the recent 2007 Women's World Hockey Championship. Even with all of his involvement in the community, Harvey's greatest joy was his grandchildren and he looked forward to his many trips to Calgary and Minneapolis to visit them. Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at Temple Shalom Synagogue, with interment at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. Pallbearers were Corey Ackerman, Stuart Boonov, Jeffrey Hurtig, Phil Liebl, Ken Lee, Ron Margolis, and Rich Nairn. Honorary Pallbearers were David Boonov, Ken Faulder, Jerry Maslowsky, Linda Sherrin, Bob Sparrow, and Toby Voth. The family would like to express their appreciation to Rabbi Karen Soria for her eloquent eulogy for Harvey at Temple Shalom and the graveside ceremony. Special thanks to David Novikoff for his cantorial duties. Donations in Harvey's memory can be made to the following: Temple Shalom or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. The family wishes to thank everyone for the many cards and messages of sympathy they have received since Harvey's passing.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 29, 2007