WILLIAM NEVILLE

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WILLIAM NEVILLE

William (Bill) Neville died on March 29, 2024, surrounded by his three daughters.

Predeceased by his parents, Audre (nee Kaake/Neville) Greenaway and William (Bill) Neville, and his sister Lynne. Bill is survived by the Neville sisters, his children, Sarah (Bob Dodds), Elissa (Tim Nykoluk), and Jessica (Jason Azuelos); his grandchildren, Elijah and Toby Neville, and Aaron and Abby Azuelos; his former wife, Anita Neville; and Tim’s children, Thomas and Heather. Bill is also remembered by his brothers, Wayne and Barry and their families.

Born in Winnipeg, Bill attended primary schools in Winnipeg, starting with John M. King school on Ellice Avenue, later in Ottawa and Edmonton; and graduated from Kelvin High School. Bill subsequently studied at the University of Manitoba where he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. On his return from Oxford, he taught in the Department of Politics at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. He returned to Winnipeg in the 1970s serving as Assistant to the Vice-President of the University of Manitoba. In addition to teaching political studies, later duties included serving as Assistant to the President, Coordinator of Canadian Studies, International Liaison Officer and Head of the Department of Political Studies.

In 1979 he was elected to Winnipeg City Council where he served for ten years. He became an advocate for a number of issues with a particular passion for heritage conservation. He championed the preservation and conservation of the City’s built environment, with a focus on Winnipeg’s Exchange District. On retiring from City Council he was appointed by the Provincial Government as Chair of the Provincial Heritage Council and still later was appointed by the Federal government as the Manitoba member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

On his retirement from municipal politics, he was invited to write a bi-weekly column on City Hall for the Winnipeg Free Press. This eventually became a weekly column with a broader focus, addressing political (and other) matters in Manitoba, Canada, and beyond. He loved nothing more than paying tribute to a life well lived, which he did frequently in his columns.

Bill was passionate about the arts, in particular classical music, and was on many arts boards, including that of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. He read widely, and was known for the overflowing bookshelves which covered most of the walls of his home. He loved Mozart, marmalade, and the chicken schnitzel at Bistro Dansk. He was known for his quick wit and wise counsel. He was loved by many friends and family members.

Bill’s family wish to express their appreciation for the excellent and devoted care he received at the Simkin Centre over the last three years. A special thank you to the staff for their kindnesses to Bill and his daughters, and for their efforts to help lighten the difficulties of his last days.

A service honouring Bill was held on April 2. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill’s honour to PSC Partners Seeking a Cure Canada, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Rainbow Resource Centre, Simkin Centre, or a charity of your choosing.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 13, 2024, Apr 13, 2024