ASHER (RICHARD) WEBB

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ASHER (RICHARD) WEBB Unexpectedly on November 10, 2009, Asher (Richard) Webb passed away in Winnipeg. Asher was predeceased by his mother Anne in 2002 and father Ray in 2006. He leaves to mourn: sister Linda (Bill Dyck) of Vancouver, brother Ken (Barbara), brother Patrick (Diane) of Edmonton, nieces Heather (Todd Keck) and Meghan (Hussieni Azad), nephews Ryan, Robin, Dylan, Anders, Christopher and Nathan, great-nephew Riley, and a world of friends Asher was born on July 12, 1960 in Winnipeg. His passion for helping people and building a stronger community developed early. He won citizenship awards while attending General Byng School and, after moving with his family to Faro, Yukon he went on to serve as Student Council president at Del Van Gorder School. After graduating in 1978 he was chosen to represent the Yukon as a Page in the House of Commons while he attended the University of Ottawa, studying Linguistics. Asher loved the arts. His passion for dancing and performing took him to Vancouver, and after returning to Winnipeg he worked with the Fringe Festival and served on the boards of the Graffiti Gallery, the Osborne Village Cultural Centre / Gas Station Theatre, the Oscar Wilde Memorial Society and the Winnipeg BIZ Association. After graduating from Red River College's Computer Programmer program in 1986 Asher worked as the Information Systems Manager at the Village Clinic and co-ordinated Winnipeg's first public conference on HIV/AIDS. He had recently returned to college to pursue more business studies. As the Executive Director of the Osborne Village BIZ (1996 to 2007) Asher worked tirelessly to bring in new businesses and help make the area safe and desirable. Here he created one of Winnipeg's most popular Canada Day street festivals. Asher was passionate about promoting equal rights for all. In his youth he was known as the one who always rooted for the underdog. He went on to become a project coordinator for the B'nai Brith Human Rights Awards and was one of the founders of Gio's, where he served as its genial bartender and board member. He served in many other capacities within Winnipeg's gay community, including one of the campaign leaders to elect Glenn Murray. Asher devoted a large part of his life to helping others. He believed in the power of hope and goodness. He believed in building the just society. He was gently courageous in the face of adversity. He marched, sang, danced, and fought for rights now taken for granted. Rights that once seemed a nearly impossible dream. Rest well our friend and brother. A celebration of Asher's life will be held at the Red River College Princess Street Campus on Saturday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nine Circles Community Health Centre, 705 Broadway or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot, Room ON1160, Winnipeg, R3E 0V9. Dreams are reality yet manifested... GO FOR IT! For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log onto www.mosaicfunerals.ca MOSAIC FUNERAL CREMATION AND CEMETERY SERVICES 1839 Inkster Blvd., WINNIPEG, MB. 275-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2009