BERNARD RODOLPH WOLFE, C.M.,

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BERNARD RODOLPH WOLFE, C.M., Provost, Order of the Buffalo Hunt Bernie Wolfe, aged 91, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2014. Bernie was predeceased by his brothers Pierre, Maurice and Norbert and his sister Marie-Therese (Minnie). He will be lovingly remembered by Sheila, his best friend and wife of 63 years, sons Bernie and Patrick (Mary Anne), daughters Sheila (Glenn) and Catherine (Guy) and his grandchildren: Julia, Sam, Grayson, Riel, Elizabeth and Olivia. Bernie, a proud Manitoban, was born and raised in Transcona. He attended Transcona Collegiate Institute and later United College, which is now the University of Winnipeg. Bernie's father was a carman with the CNR at the Transcona shops, and his mother taught school and raised a family. His varied ancestry encapsulates Manitoba's history, including French settlers dating back to the mid-1800's. Whether that ancestry includes any politicians is not clear, but early on Bernie's focus in life became community service and politics. He joined the Young Liberals as a teenager; the first step in a long journey of electoral politics at the city, provincial and federal levels. This choice was despite his mother's admonition that politics was "hell on earth"; perhaps taking her view into account, he was not deterred from entering it. What he learned over time was that being a politician could become an honourable profession, and for him it was. During his political career he remained committed to various worthy causes, and loved a challenge, competition and debate; but he was also collegial and understood that politics was the art of the practical. In addition to his political life, Bernie pursued a career in the insurance industry becoming a founding partner of Ernst, Liddle and Wolfe Ltd., providing insurance, real estate, financial and appraisal services in Western Canada and Northwestern Ontario. Bernie and Sheila Carey were married in 1951 and raised their family in Transcona although, ever mindful of his French-Canadian heritage, the children were primarily educated in neighboring St. Boniface. Politics were the focus for the Wolfe family during the 50's, 60's and 70's. Bernie was elected to the local school board in 1958 and served until 1965. For his work with countless community organizations he was awarded the Province of Manitoba's highest civilian honour, Provost of the Hunt - Order of the Buffalo Hunt, in 1957. The naming of the Bernie Wolfe Community School in Transcona was also a tribute to this record, but was also in recognition of his deep continuing community service spanning decades. Bernie was elected to Winnipeg Metro Council in 1960, becoming Vice-Chairman and serving until 1971, when the current amalgamated City of Winnipeg was created. He then successfully ran for city council and ultimately became Deputy Mayor until his retirement from electoral politics in 1977. During his political career he mentored or advised political aspirants who sought to benefit from his hard won experience within politics. After leaving politics, Bernie was appointed a Commissioner to the Canadian Transport Commission, serving for 10 years from 1979 to 1989. As a Member of the CTC, he actively played a role in a dynamic decade of change in Canada's transportation system. The causes and projects that he successfully championed would literally take pages to list but there are a few that were especially close to his heart: the Winnipeg Convention Centre, the Assiniboine Forest, and the Nairn Avenue Overpass. He was most proud, however, of his work as a founding member and President of Heritage Winnipeg from 1986 to 2000. The preservation of Winnipeg's architectural legacy, especially the Exchange District, was the direct result of Bernie's efforts. Bernie also served as a Governor of Heritage Canada. Bernie's work in preserving Winnipeg's history, as well as his long record of community service, led to his investiture to the Order of Canada in 2001. Bernie always sought out opportunities to lead. Notably, he had been President of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce and Vice-President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and also President of The Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities. As building chairman of Taché Hospital he oversaw its expansion. This was a cause dear to him, as his own father had spent his last 15 years at Taché. Completing the circle, Bernie himself was to spend his last months being cared for at Taché. However, all these accomplishments in the public eye were overshadowed by Bernie and Sheila's devotion to each other, and to their family. Bernie was always proud of his children and grandchildren and his legacy of public service continues to inspire them. The lessons his children learned from him were through example, certain and clear: be committed, take a stand, work very hard, contribute to your community, stay principled and, above all, remember that you always have your family by your side. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to those staff at Taché who truly respected and loved Bernie, which was evident by their compassionate, dignified care for him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bernie Wolfe Good Citizenship and Community Spirit Scholarship c/o River East Transcona School Division, 589 Roch Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2K 2P7. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 1, 2014, at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 505 Brewster St. in Transcona. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2014