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VALENTINE (VAL) WERIER
Born: Jun 29, 1917
Date of Passing: Apr 21, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryVALENTINE (VAL) WERIER On April 21, 2014, at the age of 96, Val died peacefully, surrounded by family. He is survived by his children Michael (Lainey Danzker), Jonathon (Lisa Fainstein) and Judith (Leon Fainstein), grandchildren Steven Werier, Nessa Werier, Leah Werier, Saul Werier, Rachel Fainstein (Sergei Broeska) and Daniel Fainstein, and sister Ruth Goldin. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Eve (nee Lev) in 1974, and siblings Leda, Vera, George and Harry. Val was born on June 29, 1917 to Mania and Mischa Werier. He grew up in Winnipeg's vibrant North End in a home filled with culture, literature, music, and animated discussion. His career in journalism was interrupted by the Second World War where he served in the R.C.A.F. as a Navigator in Bomber Command. He survived a devastating crash on November 11, 1944, leaving him with permanent injuries and a deep conviction that there is no glory in war, a theme he often wrote about at the Winnipeg Tribune and later at the Winnipeg Free Press. A journalist for over 70 years, Val championed the causes of social justice, poverty and the environment. He gave a voice to the vulnerable and marginalized in society. He was proud of the profound impact his writing had on society and the environment and was recognized with dozens of awards, including the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba. Some of his happiest moments were spent at his cottage in Winnipeg Beach, enjoying a cold drink on the deck with family and friends, pelicans skimming over the water's edge, waves lapping gently on the shore. He loved his children and grandchildren immensely. He was a wonderful father and will be deeply missed. Thank you to Dr. Brian Sharkey who provided incredible care and love for Val for over 30 years, Dr. Ian Maxwell, Dr. Robert Kroeker, the staff at Victoria Hospital, especially Ivy Harrison, Nery Guevara, and to Jane Jaculak and the Simkin Centre staff. Funeral services were held on April 24, 2014 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Donations may be made to the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, the Jewish Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 26, 2014
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Val was a wonderful friend to my father D.I. MacDonald who passed away in 2001. They enjoyed many walks together in the Assiniboine forest among other places, and shared a deep love and respect for nature. They were environmentalists long before the term was even invented. Later on and in recent times when Val was in the Shaftesbury home he was very kind and became good friends to my mother and father-in-law Gerry and Mardie Law. On behalf of my entire family we offer condolences to this great human being. - Posted by: Peter MacDonald (My father was a great friend of Val's) on: May 04, 2014
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Val was a man with extraordinary gifts and so a very bright light in the Winnipeg community has been extinguished - having lost my own Dad in the past year, I share deeply in the sad loss for the Werier family. - Posted by: Anna Maria Magnifico (Acquaintance of Val and family) on: Apr 26, 2014
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We were saddened to hear the passing of Mr. Werier. We send our deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time. Canada has lost a great Canadian. - Posted by: Dr. Armansa Glodjo, Mr. Michael Breger, Elan Breger, Noam Breger (Friends of Dr. Jonathon Werier) on: Apr 26, 2014