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Richard Nielsen Obituary
1928 - 2014
With much sadness we announce the passing of Dick Nielsen, filmmaker and journalist, peacefully at Toronto General Hospital on October 25, 2014 at the age of 86. He leaves his loving wife of 60 years Donna Nielsen (nee Dunseith), daughters Camilla Brockhouse and her husband Gordon and Petrea McConvey and her husband Paul, and is now at peace with his late daughter Marta Nielsen. He will be missed forever by his grandchildren Erin, Robert, Elna, Shaina, Christian, Egan, Kelly and Liddell; and his great-grandchildren Luka, Mila, Ellington, Fox, Soren and Oona. The family sends its heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Toronto General for their care and treatment of Dick in his final days. Please join us at St. Martin in the Fields Anglican Church, 151 Glenlake Ave., Toronto, ON M6P 1E8 on Friday, October 31st at 11:00 a.m. as we honor Dick's life. Donations to L'Arche Canada Foundation, 1-800-571-0212, in lieu of flowers.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Nielsen
16 Entries
Hanns Skoutajan
November 5, 2014
One of the gifts of Dick that I shall miss is his rich voice. It has been preserved in places that he narrated in the film "Hitler's German Foes." (Noflicks 2007 )which is based on my book Uprooted and Transplanted.
May that voice never be silent. within us. It spoke wisdom beautifully. We need it.
Hanns F Skoutajan
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Alan Bacchus
November 3, 2014
Dick Nielsen gave me my first job in the film industry. After graduating film school in Vancouver, I moved back to Toronto with no connections at all. After hassling everyone in town for a job, my cold call to Norflicks Productions was answered by Dick. I interviewed with him to be his assistant and got the job. I couldn't believe it. I worked with him for almost five years. I owe so much to this man.
Kenneth Bagnell
November 1, 2014
I very much regret being unable to attend the funeral service for Dick. He was an expemplary man in so many ways--fairminded, wittty and, as we all know, creative. In the midst of tension he could bring relief and consensual goodwill. I was fortunate when a young man to have become an on air contributor to several of his programs and a personal friend as I was with his brother Bob at The Toronto Star. He was, as was his brother, a man of high intelligence as well as deep integrity. We were in touch a couple of months ago and were to have lunch. How sad that we missed the lunch. But I am grateful for the divine gift of memory and the faith that he abides in the lives of all those whose lives he touched and in the eternity that awaits us.Blessings upon him. Kenneth Bagnell.
Heather Nielsen
October 31, 2014
So sad to hear of Uncle Dick's recent passing! I heve some good memories of long ago days and always appreciated his wit and unique personality!!! May he and Marta be reunited in spirit and love!!!!
Beth Porter (L'Arche)
October 31, 2014
The service today was a beautiful tribute to Dick, who never lost his passion for justice and for lifting up those who are most vulnerable. He leaves a very fine legacy.
Katie Shapiro
October 31, 2014
My husband, Eric and son Josh and myself (Katie) met Dick about 6 years ago when we included him in a project that we were doing on Glenn Gould……. we filmed Dick and the three of us fell in love with him almost instantly………what an absolutely wonderful man….. so thoughtful, so articulate, so full of feeling, and what a great sense of humour…. A PRINCE OF A MAN…. full of honour and class….. you do not meet people of Dick's calibre, and it was a joy to get to know him over the last few years……… His work in this country in the industry is legendary, and for good reason………. Over the last few years we had been working with him to try to get a project underway using our footage about Gould in a new and innovative way… He was so supportive of what we had accomplished and felt that it was important, and was endeavouring to secure funding toward this end… He was tireless in his enthusiasm, interest and effort, in a world where we have found this to be so rare….. As we live in Stratford, and not Toronto (anymore) we saw him infrequently in the past two years, but spoke on the telephone frequently, and our conversations ranged in topics….. I always hung up from speaking with Dick with a new and brilliantly articulated point of view about whatever we spoke about, and always there was that marvellous intelligent sense of humour -- we always shared a laugh or two…………
We could not get into the funeral today,(which is underway as I write this..) but we want you all to know, that our spirits are there with you, and we are just devastated at Dick's passing…… we were SO VERY privileged to know him……. and love him ………. In my opinion he was the BEST that this species called 'humans' had to offer the world……….. he was really too honourable for this planet at this time……………… I will NEVER forget him, and will miss him more than words can convey ……
with love to you all,
Katie Shapero.
Karen Nielsen
October 31, 2014
Dear Uncle Dick gave me some of the deepest and most fulfilling laughs of my life. He is the last of the line - my Dad's most beloved brother. Sending thoughts to Petrea, Camilla and Donna and all those who were touched by him.
Rita Shelton Deverell
October 30, 2014
Remarkably, I did not meet Dick Nielsen in person until 14 months ago. Of course I totally knew his iconic series Images of Love, Words of Hope: Conversations with Jean Vanier from the first 1988 days of Vision TV; read some of the ton of serious audience fan mail about the series on air every week; and would hear about things Dick had said, advised, or done from colleagues Peter Flemington and Jim Hanley.
Fourteen months ago I got a phone message from Jim Hanley: “Phone Dick Nielsen ASAP”. There followed two in-depth, soul, mind, and heart touching, in person conversations about one of the series Dick wanted to make next. He thought I might be interested too. That was a profound understatement. What a privilege to have had those two conversations. Dick's next work, as ever, was to be about what's most important to heal us in this 2014 now. He was ahead of us.
Words of sympathy and prayers to Dick's family and thank you for his bounteous gifts.
Rita Shelton Deverell
October 30, 2014
A true delight to work for. One of the best bosses I have ever had. Dick stood tall above the rest. He had a great mind, a passion for justice and was an honourable man who will be sorely missed by any who had the good fortune to know him.
My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
Barbara Chernin
Katherine Smalley
October 30, 2014
A wonderful person of great wit and wisdom. An inspiration always. My deepest sympathy to his family.
James Dubro
October 29, 2014
It was always very stimulating, great fun, and larger than life working on films and projects with Dick. He was a great writer and documentary producer with whom I was honored to work with on several major TV projects for many decades (1970s to 2000 including the legendary "Connections" series). So sorry for your loss Donna ( and the rest of the remaining family) so soon after Marta too. But Dick lived a full and productive life right to the end with new projects and innovative ideas being developed well into his 86th year. I shall miss him greatly. James Dubro , Toronto
Kerri McMurray (formerly Neraasen)
October 29, 2014
Dick was an inspiration - passionate, generous, funny and wickedly bright. He was one of my first mentors, and I am lucky to have had him in my life. My deepest sympathy to Donna and the rest of the family.
Todd Hodge
October 29, 2014
My condolences to the family. I have many good memories of Dick, he taught me much as I was beginning my career.
Sam Jephcott
October 29, 2014
A wonderful man who enjoyed a wonderful life.
Rest in peace Dick, you will be missed
Pat Ferns
October 29, 2014
My friend, mentor and inspiration: rest in peace. You and your family are in my heart and in my prayers.
Estelle Amaron
October 29, 2014
What an extraordinary life, lived to the fullest with zest and vision. I'm grateful that I got to know Mr. Nielsen through my best friend, his daughter Camilla, and send all my love and condolences to Mrs. Nielsen, Camilla, Petrea and the rest of the family. You are all very special to me. Bob joins me in sending condolences.
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Memorial Events
for Richard Nielsen
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Turner & Porter Funeral Directors2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6S 1P4