Bernie Wolfe (politician)
Bernie R. Wolfe, CM (November 19, 1922 – November 6, 2014)[1] was a Canadian politician from Manitoba, who served as Deputy Mayor of Winnipeg from 1971-77.[2]
Biography
Born in 1922 in Transcona, Manitoba (now part of the City of Winnipeg), Wolfe attended Transcona Collegiate. His leadership skills were honed during his tenure at the local YMCA heading various committees. The YMCA awarded him its Golden "S" Award in 1951. During World War II, his poor vision prevented him from actively serving in the Canadian military but he was involved with the recycling, rationing and Civil Defense.[3][4]
As a long time school trustee for the Transcona–Springfield School Division, Wolfe helped direct the construction of most of the current schools within the division, including Murdock McKay, Transcona and Springfield Collegiates. He also a played a major role in the decision to consolidate the elementary schools located in the R.M. of Springfield and centralise the division's transportation system.[3][4]
As one of the founding partners of Ernst, Liddle & Wolfe, Wolfe led a successful career as an insurance underwriter. The firm provided insurance and investment coverage for Western Canada and Northwest Ontario. The last file that Wolfe closed while working for his company was the fire that destroyed the Saint Boniface Cathedral in July 1968. In 1960, he became a founding member and councilor of the Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg. He served as council until the amalgamation of all the cities that made up Metropolitan Winnipeg in 1971. In 1971, as councilor for the newly created city of Winnipeg, his persistence and dedication paved the way for the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The City of Winnipeg was further unified under Wolfe's mission for the Nairn Avenue overpass.[4]
During Wolfe's tenure as Commissioner for the Canadian Transport Commission, one of the major changes over which he helped to preside was regarding rail relocation for the city of Regina, Saskatchewan, which allowed Saskatchewan, the railways, and the federal government to work together to move the railways' established centre of operation outside of the city of Regina, to enable the city to eliminate the inherent problems and costs associated having major rail lines dissecting the city and street system.[3][4]
Death
Wolfe died at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg on November 6, 2014, aged 91.[3][4]
Select awards and recognition
- 1957 Provost of the Hunt – Order of the Buffalo Hunt – Province of Manitoba
- 1958 Outstanding Club Leadership as President – Kiwanis International
- 1967 Gold City Crest - Community Service Recognition – City of Transcona
- 1971 Silver Trowel – Manitoba Building Trades Council
- 1976 Special Recognition Award – Silver Tankard Performing Arts of Winnipeg including:
- Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
- Royal Winnipeg Ballet
- Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers
- Manitoba Theatre Centre
- Manitoba Opera Society
- Rainbow Stage
- 1977 Governor #46 – International Jaycees
- 1977 Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal
- 1982 Special Recognition of Honour – Heritage Canada
- March 1999 - Rotary Club International Transcona Branch, Paul Harris Award for Vocational/Community Excellence
- May 2001 - Member - Order of Canada
- 2002 – Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal
- June 2005 – Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award, District 64
- 2012 - Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal
References
- ↑ Boyens, Ingeborg (2007). The encyclopedia of Manitoba. Great Plains Publications. p. 769. ISBN 1894283716.
- ↑ Levine, Allan Gerald (1989-01-01). Your Worship: the lives of eight of Canada's most unforgettable mayors. James Lorimer & Company. pp. 95–. ISBN 978-1-55028-209-2. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "Former deputy mayor Bernie Wolfe dies", winnipeg.ctvnews.ca; accessed November 8, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Bernie Wolfe, former deputy mayor and longtime councillor, dies at 91", winnipegfreepress.com; accessed November 8, 2014.
External links
- Obituary in the Winnipeg Free Press