C. Neil Reimer

C. Neil Reimer

C. Reimer Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 1, 2011.
REIMER, C. Neil July 3, 1921 - March 29, 2011 Neil passed away peacefully and will be forever remembered and sadly missed by his loving wife, Merry; his daughter, Jan and son-in-law Hubert; his son, Greg and wife Lorie; his two grandchildren, Megan and Jeffrey Kammerer; his sister Betty Sawatzky; and many nieces and nephews. Neil was one of the truly great progressive leaders of the labour movement, the New Democratic Party, and civil society. He inspired both his family and his community, and shared his dream of a better world with many. Neil received numerous honours for his work, including the Order of Canada and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Athabasca University. We wish to thank the staff at both Rosedale Estates and the University Hospital for their care. A Celebration of Neil's life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the Glenwood Funeral Home, 52356 Range Road. 232, Sherwood Park, Alberta. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alberta New Democratic Party, the Alberta Council on Aging, or the Alberta Labour History Institute - and be active in making this world a better place! For online condolences please visit www.chapelofchimes.com Howard & McBride "Chapel of Chimes", Funeral Home, Crematorium & Reception Centre, 10179 - 108 Street. Telephone: 780-422-1141.

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April 16, 2011

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April 10, 2011

Ray Field posted to the memorial.

April 9, 2011

Kathie Neu Organ posted to the memorial.

19 Entries

April 16, 2011

merry, jan gregg and family, our deepest condolences. Lanny and Audrey Swark also Caryn, Chris and Kim.

Ray Field

April 10, 2011

To Merry and Jan Reimer and family,
My sincere condolences on Neil's passing. I met Neil through Grant Notley who was one of my very best friends. I like to believe that the three of us helped to play an important part in the formation of the New Party and subsequent NDP. It was an interesting and fun time for us. Neil was an inveterate contradiction. On the one hand he exuded the strength, tenacity and confidence to accomplish the job needed to be done, while at the same time, he was always kind and considerate to those around him. I recall receiving Neil's much needed help back in the mid 60's that subsequently played an important part in my life. I will never forget Neil Reimer. Best wishes at this difficult time.

Kathie Neu Organ

April 9, 2011

To the family of Neil Reimer,
Please accept my sincerest condolences. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Reimer, I continue witnessing his impressive and legendary contributions toward helping reduce ageism in this world. His work with the Alberta Council on Aging reveals what an incredible leader he was; a shining example of the best that humanity has to offer. My thoughts are with you during your time of loss.

Walter Manning (CEP)

April 9, 2011

To the Reimer Family,
My sincere condolences on the passing of Brother Neil. He will always be considered a legend within the labour movement. Without a doubt, his relentless work to improve the lives and communities of working women and men throughout Canada will go unsurpassed.It was people like Neil who inspired me to get off the bench and become active. May the fond memories you hold help you to get through this sad loss.

Alvin Finkel

April 8, 2011

My condolences to all of Neil's family. Neil was larger than life and his contributions to Alberta's trade union movement, to the NDP, to the Alberta Council of Agin, and to the Alberta Labour History Institute, among others, were immeasurable. It was a privilege to know Neil and hear his stories of the challenges and successes of his efforts to win social justice for working people in Alberta.

The history book of labour in Alberta, which is being produced by ALHI and the AFL for the centennial of the AFL will be dedicated to Neil's memory.

Josh Coles

April 8, 2011

To the extended Reimer family and union sisters and brothers,

Neil was inspirational leader to all us little kids who looked up to a giant. He will be fondly remembered.

Take Care to all who had fortune to know him,

Josh Coles

Cynthia (Cindy) Hurtig

April 7, 2011

My condolences to Neil's family and to his friends. Neil will be remembered as a great man, a truly progressive human being who inspired others. His influence will stay with me.

Dave Oakie

April 7, 2011

To Jan, Hubert and family. Always a sad and trying time my sympathies are with you. Remembering times of our growing up together.

Ken Glassco

April 5, 2011

To Mrs Reimer and Jan, my thoughts are with you. Neil was a good friend and an outstanding leader. I was associated with Neil through Local 9-14 OCAW, Local 914 ECWU and in his retirement as a very welcome addition to our conventions and conferences when in Edmonton. He was my Director but also a true brother and I will miss him dearly.

Stan Penner

April 4, 2011

Dear Reimer Family,

My deepest sympathies to your entire family. Although I only knew Neil in the latter part of his life, I found him to be the sort of man I wish I had known for much longer. He left a lasting impression of integrity and compassion on all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Roy Lynn Piepenburg

April 3, 2011

A Tribute to C. Neil Reimer

My family and I learned of Neil's passing in the Edmonton Journal. On behalf of my family, we offer our sincerest sympathy and understanding at this time of your great loss.

Our memory of Neil goes back to the days when he was actively organizing the oil and chemical workers, something in which he was very successful. We understand and appreciate the diversity of his activities to strengthen workers rights, democracy and harmony in society. All during his career, he was a great role model for others who aspired to work in the same realm that he did.

Neil was a tireless worker who thrived on the challenges that he took on. It is remarkable how he continued working for the Alberta Council on Aging so many years after he retired from other responsibilities.

In our minds, he has always been vitally connected with Jan. We believe that his positive influence in her life enabled her to get elected as mayor and to serve the community so well. We worked on her campaigns, knowing that her values were those of her N. D. P. father. We are so pleased to have had that association.

In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the advancement of workers, we will make a donation in his name to the Alberta Labour History Institute. We know there will be a special niche for Neil in their history volume that is to be released in 2012.

Our thoughts will always be with you as you adapt to Neil's passing.

The family of Roy Lynn Piepenburg

Dennis Nelson

April 2, 2011

Dear Merry and Family: We will celebrate Neil's incredible contribution to issues of social justice and human dignity. He will be missed, but never forgotten. He was a very special person who gave me opportunities within our Union and later in government for which I will always be grateful. I am sure Buck, Duncan and Neil are reminising in a very spiritual place.

W. Hill

April 2, 2011

Dear Mrs. Reimer, Jan and family:
I was saddened to hear of Neil’s passing, he was an inspiring and inspirational man who earnestly cared about the well being of his fellow citizens. In the short year that I spent working with him at ACA I learned a tremendous amount and am truly a benefactor for having been “his student” during that period. I have thought of him often and frequently reflect on the lessons I learned from him.

Bob Saari

April 2, 2011

Dear Merry and Family,

Carol and I are deeply saddened by Neil's passing.

I will never forget the times that I spent with him with his masterful stories of the past and his grasp of the present. He will be greatly missed.

brent,donna skwark

April 2, 2011

Dear Merry and family.
Sorry to hear about the passing of uncle Neil. We enjoyed our chats with him on our last visit and learned many things about the family from him. Again our condolences to you and your family

Bill and Alberta Boytzun

April 1, 2011

Dear Mrs. Reimer and Family,
We were saddened to learn of the death of Neil Reimer.
His contributions to our community and to our country were praiseworthy indeed. He left the world a better place and will be greatly missed.

We wish to express our condolences to the whole family.
Sincerely, Bill and Alberta Boytzun

Ron Holland

April 1, 2011

Dear Jan:
Your father has been described as being a "great gentleman", which is a very accurate description of his persona. A lot of his work and success was in very tense and emotional situations and he was magical in his ability to maintain an unsurpassed level of dignity. He was quite a guy.
Sincere sympathy,

Richard White

April 1, 2011

My condolences to Merry and her family.
Enjoyed talking with Neil when he was Director and Director Emeritus of the Union. Apprecited his insights and council.
He touched many with his actions and care and will be missed by all.

Richard White
Former Executive Board Member for the Atlantic Region, ECWU, CEP

April 1, 2011

Sorry to read of the passing of Neil.

He was a great gentleman. I enjoyed our conversations and I can tell you two things... He was extremely proud of his family and had a great attitude no matter what life threw at him.

God Bless You all

Kevin Mullane

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Howard and McBride Chapel of Chimes - Edmonton

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April 16, 2011

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April 10, 2011

Ray Field posted to the memorial.

April 9, 2011

Kathie Neu Organ posted to the memorial.