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WILLIAM H. REMNANT Obituary pic

WILLIAM H. REMNANT

Born: Sep 08, 1927

Date of Passing: Jan 05, 2017

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WILLIAM H. (BINX) REMNANT September 8, 1927 - January 5, 2017 Change in Location of Service It is with great sadness that we announce that William (Binx) Remnant passed away peacefully, due to complications from pneumonia, at the Victoria General Hospital, on January 5, 2017. Binx is survived by sons Richard (Ellisha) and James, and daughter Margot, all of Winnipeg, grandsons Scott (Kaila) Auger of Powell River, BC and Dustin (Heather) Auger of Winnipeg, several loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws, and very special friend Isobel Lee. He was predeceased by his wife Marion (Mamie), parents Stanley and Elva, and brother Peter. Dad was born in Vancouver, educated in Vancouver and Vernon, and worked in various locations throughout British Columbia while employed with CIBC. It was while working at CP Air in Vancouver that Binx met Mamie. They married in 1957 and before too long Richard (Dick) was born. Seeking a career change, Dad became a Northern Services Officer with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. His first posting was Akudlik, an Inuit settlement on the outskirts of Churchill, where James was born, then to Kuujjuarapik, Quebec, and Ottawa, where Margot was born. Dad was transferred to a group who were to become the nucleus of the fledgling Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). Binx became the first Clerk of the Council for the GNWT. In late summer 1967, Dad and the other Ottawa-based employees moved to Yellowknife and formally established the GNWT on site. Yellowknife was Dad's home for the next 16 years, where he and Mom raised their family, enjoyed the cabin on Prosperous Lake, and made many lifelong friends. Mom and Dad moved to Winnipeg in 1983 where Binx became the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. Winnipeg was a city with which Dad had no previous ties, but one which was to become his home for the remainder of his life, and where he forged many strong bonds. Binx was passionate about and respected for his work as Clerk of the Council in the Northwest Territories and Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in Manitoba. He was a well-respected parliamentary procedural specialist in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth. Binx worked closely with speakers and MLAs to ensure that the rules of the house were followed. Dad's 40 years in public service was recognized in 2012 when he was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. His working relationship with Manitoba members of the legislative assembly was honoured in 2004, when he was the first non-MLA to be made an honorary member of the Manitoba MLA's alumni association. In 1999, at the age of 72, Dad hung up his robes and sought to figure out what retirement was all about. He had to do so without Mom by his side as she had passed away a couple of years earlier. Dad embraced retirement, and embarked on a life of volunteerism, membership in numerous organizations, and travels across Canada and to foreign lands (some of it working as a consultant - work he thought of as getting paid to travel), including trips to Africa, several European countries, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Dad was a people person and had a great circle of friends from work, various organizations, the church, and people he met at the grocery store. Dad had several interests, but some of the strongest were fishing, car racing, and steam-powered trains. However, his most important activity was spending time with his growing family who had all followed him to Winnipeg at one time or another. Dad was incredibly loyal and loving; we were so fortunate to be his family. Dr. Ray Singer cared for Dad over the past 30 years and special thanks go out to him. The last three years of Dad's life were spent living at Harmony Court, and thanks go out to all the wonderful people there including, but not limited to, Motake and Olivia. Special thanks to Anne and Aleeya who also assisted in his care and the staff of Unit 2, Victoria Hospital, who provided great care and compassion for Dad during his final days. A celebration of Binx's life will be held Saturday, February 11 at 1:00 p.m. at Saint George's Anglican Church (Crescentwood), 168 Wilton Street, Winnipeg. Cremation has taken place; a private family interment will follow in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, or a charity of one's choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 04, 2017

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

  • I began working at the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as a Clerk Assistant in 2000, just a few months after Binx retired. While we never worked together, he became and remained a mentor to me. His reputation as a fine man preceded him at the Assembly, and from the moment I met him I enjoyed him. His wit, wisdom and honesty resonated with me deeply. I was honoured to become one of his many lunch partners, and for several years we would get out every couple of months for a nice lunch and a chat. He offered me many words of wisdom regarding my career, told many great war stories from days gone by in the legislature, and provided valuable advice on how best to wrangle MLAs. He was one of a kind. Along with a few other colleagues I was pleased to visit Binx for one last lunch at Harmony Court last year. It was delightful to see him again, and while diminished slightly by age and ailment, his wit and playful nature remained in evidence. He left an indelible mark on the Legislature, and on all who enjoyed his company. My deepest condolences to the family. - Posted by: Rick Yarish (Friend) on: Feb 14, 2017

  • My sincere condolences to Margot and family. Such an incredible testimony of your father's life here on this page. I shall treasure the objects of his that I purchased at his yard sale with even more reverence than previously. With Love, Dawn McDonnal - Posted by: Dawn McDonnal () on: Feb 10, 2017

  • The members of the Clerks-at-the-Table Association were very saddened to hear of the passing of Binx Remnant. Many of us have fond memories of Binx over his many years as a Member and Honourary Member. He was a very warm individual whose down to earth nature made us feel very welcome when we first became members of this Association and began our parliamentary careers. Binx has left a significant legacy with his many years of public service and his time as a Clerk of two legislative assemblies. His contribution to our Association over these many years has been invaluable. He was a committed professional who deeply cared about parliament and his colleagues. We will miss him. - Posted by: Association of the Clerks-at-the-Table in Canada (Colleagues) on: Feb 09, 2017

  • I remember him as a mentor with Association of Clerks at the Table and his passion for the democratic process. I remember his humour and story telling when we had our annual conferences. My wife, Ruth, also remembers him for his wit and kindness. We shall miss him. John Noel - Posted by: John Noel (Friend and colleague) on: Feb 08, 2017

  • Binx was, first and foremost, a true gentleman and a character...oh what a character! His expertise and dedication as a Table Officer in two Canadian Legislatures is well known and respected among we, his colleagues. For me though, it was his unfailing willingness to share this knowledge that impressed me most and solidified our friendship. He always had time to talk, share stories, laugh and exchange ideas...even with the likes of myself as a junior clerk attending my very first conferences a long time ago. I came to appreciate that Binx's stories, while always entertaining, served to illustrate deeper meaning and parliamentary principles to which we should aspire (...well, most of his stories anyway!). I'll miss Binx and will forever cherish my memories of him and the time we shared. I have fond memories of his last visit to Prince Edward Island when he was on a scheduled tour and was less than enthralled with the PEI events planned for him that day. Instead of partaking in these activities, he agreed to allow me to pick him up at his hotel. We proceeded to spend a memorable afternoon and evening together, sharing memories, sightseeing, driving and just enjoying comfortable company as only two old friends can do. Rest in peace Binx. My condolences to the Remnant Family. The obituary is beautiful and so ably captures the essence of the man I came to know. You were indeed blessed to have him in your family and I was blessed to count him among my true friends. - Posted by: Charles MacKay (Friend and colleague) on: Feb 08, 2017

  • He was a great man with a lot of great stories, who loved red Ferrari's! My sincere condolences to Margot and the rest of the family! - Posted by: Gary Sutherland () on: Feb 07, 2017

  • I have had the great good fortune of attending professional development seminars and sharing in the knowledge and experience of wonderful, talented, intelligent people from across Canada and other parts of the Commonwealth since 1997. Binx exemplified what I have come to expect from just about everyone I have encountered whose career included serving at the Table of a legislature: passion for democracy, passion for the role parliaments play in democracy, and passion for the richness of the history, principles and practice of 'parliamentary law'. Of course, Binx' passions also included first and foremost his feelings for his colleagues and for fly fishing. It was always a joy to see Binx and to count him not only as a colleague but also as a friend. I trust his family will find solace in knowing that their appreciation for his many qualities were shared by so many others he touched. - Posted by: Blair Armitage (Colleague) on: Feb 06, 2017

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