Mr. Nick Ternette

Nick Ternette, public voice of the poor and marginalized, challenger of the status quo, a passionate advocate for a better Winnipeg and better world, husband, father, grandfather, friend, died at St. Boniface palliative care unit Sunday, March 3rd, just before midnight.

Nick is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Emily, daughter Tegan and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Seraphine and Georg.

Born in West Berlin in 1945, Nick and his parents immigrated to Canada when Nick was 10. Nick ignored the schoolyard taunts about his accent and being called a “square head”, and concentrated on getting an education and developing relationships. As a young man, he coached football and served as an altar boy in Winnipeg’s Russian Orthodox Church.

Nick’s political labels changed through the decades – Liberal and then NDP youth, Socialist, Green, Anarchist—but his principles remained the same. He was a tireless champion of unpopular causes, speaking up for panhandlers and squeegee kids, refugees, victims of violence, people on welfare and other low-income Manitobans. He made more presentations at City Council than any other citizen, encouraging others to become involved. He ran for office more than 20 times to raise important issues, not to advance himself personally.

Some of Nick’s election promises, radical at the time, have since been made law, including a federal and provincial ban on union and corporate political donations. Nick used the media to inform and persuade others, including a cable –TV talk show and hundreds of columns published in Winnipeg’s daily and community newspapers. He made hundreds of personal appearances in classrooms and at community meetings. He founded and chaired the editorial board of The Better Times, a newspaper by and for clients of Winnipeg Harvest, where he volunteered for many years.

He also took to the streets, wielding a bullhorn to lead or marshal dozens of peace marches, May Day parades and illegal surface crossings at Portage and Main.

Nick was diagnosed with cancer the first time in 2005, and he began a campaign with a fellow cancer survivor for a ban on cosmetic pesticides, because he believed they were linked to the cancer he developed. That work is now gaining political traction.

Following his second cancer recurrence in 2007, Nick had his legs amputated in 2009 due to flesh-eating disease. An outpouring of cards and letters, some with financial donations, greatly buoyed his spirits. One refugee thanked Nick for caring about freedom in the refugee’s home country. Another called Nick “Mr. Democracy” because in many other countries, he would have been shot for his frank critiques of those in power.

Nick met Emily in 1985 when she applied to assist him with his cable-TV show. Along with her own contributions to the community, Emily served as Nick’s trusted editor and sounding-board, as well as the love of his life. Nick was passionate about sports (especially his Saskatchewan Rough Riders) and could quote any statistic accurately for the past 20 years. He loved bowling and playing golf.

Nick also loved the arts, including everything from the ballet and theatre, to the Winnipeg Folk Festival – all of which he attended regularly.

Nick’s autobiography, “Rebel Without a Pause”, will be published in the Fall by Fernwood-Roseway Publishing.

Emily thanks all the journalists and public figures who paused on Monday to remember Nick and to honour his memory. A “Celebration of Nick’s Life” will be held on a date to be announced.

Musician Fred Penner shared his talents at many of Nick and Emily’s parties and wrote a song with this chorus about his long-time friend:

“Nick Ternette, Nick Ternette,

A voice for you and me.

Nick Ternette, Nick Ternette,

Freedom and equality.”

Flowers gratefully declined. Donations can be made to the Ternette Memorial Foundation, c/o The Winnipeg Foundation, 1350 Lombard Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0X3. All donations will fund projects related to social justice, community development, urban politics and ecology.