Nelson GUTNICK

Seven years from your passing, Nelson, and still reflecting on... only to hear today from yet another practicing social worker in the community... about the tremendous contribution and impact that you had in sooo many ways to so many people. Thank you Nelson, and God’s blessings and continued comfort to your children, grandchildren, and others of us who were privileged to learn so much from you by way of your words, deeds, and genuine presentation.

Fond memories of an honored member of the 10th floor tenants association. A gentle man with a strong fire for justice burning deep within !

David am sorry to learn of your father's death.Hope you are doing OK.

David am sorry to learn of your father's death.Hope you are doing OK.

A wise teacher, and a friend.
A great yet humble man.
Kind and gentle, yet deeply committed.
He has passed on, and yet he lives forever in my heart, mind and action.

Randy MacKinnon, Class of '77

So sorry to hear about Nelson Gutnick passing. He was one of my favorite professors at the University. His humble wisdom inspired me. My sincere condolences to his family.

I just learned of Nelson's death this morning. He has been on my mind lately.
I hear his voice almost daily as I listen to his son David on CBC in my office.
Nelson was a very special person who taught me that I was worth believing in. He helped me in so many ways even to taking care of my newborn daughter while I went for an interview during my MSW degree.
I cannot imagine the loss his children must feel and my heart is heavy for you. He was a father to many of us as we searched for the meaning of life and our purpose in it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful human being.

Deepest condolences!

Dear Dave, Reva, Tannis, Annalisa and your lovely family,
It was such a privilege caring for Nelson in his final hours. You already show the wonderful qualities of life and love that he and your late Mum passed on to you throughout their lives. I am sending you my sincere sympathy and deepest condolences as you mourn you huge loss. May the warm memories of times spent with him give you comfort and may you extend his legacy for many generations to come. With my heartfelt and sincere wishes for peace and comfort,
Mandy

Nelson was one of my first professors in Social Work at U of C in the 70's. His kindness, gentleness and passion for social justice always impressed me. I often ran into him shopping at Coop as he meandered about visiting with people. Later I met him again at Mount Royal College and he was a great benefit to students there, especially my sister. RIP Nelson. Our world is better because you were here and shared your compassion and wisdom,
Thank you for everything. You will be missed.

To Nelson's family:
My sincere sympathy to you all on the death of your father. I met Nelson after the war at United College and we enjoyed each others company so much over coffee at Tony's. If you have not heard from anyone else from the famous Class of 50 it is because we just heard of his passing today. I was thrilled when he made the trip to Winnipeg for our last reunion because it was so soon after your mother's passing but there he was! What a special gift to me. The old vets got into a corner and had a great time talking about the years after the war and everybody being so cash-strapped. Nelson was a wonderful person and a beloved member of our class. I'm afraid we are very few in number now so you may not hear from any that are left - he is the last of our vets. What a wonderful person he was and what a wonderful life he lived. You must be so very proud of him. 'm so glad I knew him. Margaret Wilson (Lady Stick, Class of 50, United College, U of Manitoba [email protected])

I met Nelson as part of a volunteer project at my school. I was looking for a project to do over a long term and I believed that volunteering every week to talk to the residents at the Edgemont Retirement Centre would be a great opportunity.
I have made many bad decisions in my life, but volunteering and meeting Nelson Gutnick was NOT one of them! I was at first very uncomfortable as this project was new to me, but very quickly it became more than just a project.
Each conversation we had, every story he told, and every question he mused had changed me, the way I saw other people, the way I saw the world. He enriched me. For me, it was too soon that he must continue on and it feels like a part of myself had disappeared as well. But I will remember each and every word he spoke when I was around and carry it with me as I move through my course in life.

Dear Family of Nelson:
Nelson was a professor at the U of C while I completed my social work degree. Although I can not remember details what stays with me are his gentleness and commitment to justice. I hope you may find some comfort knowing that his life touched so many of us and what he inspired continues to grow in our lives.

Nelson was an inspiring professor to me, while in the Social work program at U of C. in the late seventies- so positive and so generous in his teachings. My sincere sympathy to his family.
Barb Hinger

This man was such a gentle and lovely friend, kind and compassionate, intelligent and fun. I will miss his smile and wise thoughts. Cathy Welburn

I primarily knew Nelson through my Mother, Mary Stewart, one of the many Icelandic-Canadians who enjoyed Nelson's companionship and respected his intellect for many years. I benefitted from many stimulating conversations with him and will miss him. I send my own and my sister's sympathies in this difficult time.

Mary Lynn Stewart

Dear Nelson - Your invitation to a coffee get together will simply go unaccepted, much to me sadness. Our days as colleagues will long be cherished especially the "Blue Quills" teaching days and you roles as a quiet leader in the 10th floor tenants association. Condolences to your family. Sincerely, Jack McDonald

I am sending my best thoughts to all family members. I will miss all those sightings of Nelson @ Co-op.

Dear Nelson ( and family ) , Our time with you was only just beginning . I so enjoyed our talks and laughs . I will carry your kind and thoughtful nature in my heart , as I do for each resident I have the privilege to care for .
xo , Becky ( registered nurse from Edgemont )

Nelson was quite simply a lovely person--kind, gentle, remarkably intelligent in the best of ways. Like his beloved Thordis, he will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Nelson...You and Thordis were very special people and you helped me and my brother when we needed you..Thank you...

Nelson will be remembered as a kind, gentle, contemplate, and compassionate soul. He devoted a great deal of his life listening to, supporting, and helping others. On behalf of the Cunningham family, please accept our sincere condolences.

Nelson was one of my professors, Over the years our paths crossed many times and we would take time to stop and chat. He was a forever kind and gentle man. My condolences to his family.

I know of Nelson through my colleagues at the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work who held him in high regard. His daughter Reva taught me at the Carleton University School of Social Work, and it is obvious that she inherited her passion for social justice from her dad. Reva, my sincere condolences to you and your entire family.

My most deepest & heart felt condolences to the family of Nelson. Nelson was one of the kindest & most gentlest of people I knew. I knew him through the Faculty of Social Work, U of C. I got reacquainted with Nelson about a year ago and he loved to go for his coffee break & to chat on many subjects. I will miss his smile, and his friendship. Good bye my friend. When I have my next coffee I will raise the mug and toast you with great respect & take time to cherish the happy memories you created.
/Colin.
PS, the previous note from Mike McIntyre was dictated by him to me, so, if anyone needs to connect with Mike - I will pass on the message.

We are all impoverished today by the loss of a very precious human being. Wish you well my friend!

Always enjoyed his visits to the peg...he'll be missed

Nelson was an inspirational educator, supportive mentor and kind soul. Though I'll be thinking of the loss to your family and the community at large, I respectfully pass along my condolences.

I remember your dad from the Brentwood Co-op. He was a very sweet man and I think all the staff knew him by name. My sincere condolences.
J. Martin

I met your Dad when I worked with Aboriginal people's he was a strong supporter of human rights. A couple of years later I again met and our friendship grew as we were taking Hebrew lessons together. At business parties he always greeted you with a warm smile. I will miss him as a friend and mentor. My sympathy to all the family, you have lost much. Sincerely. Val Matthews

Nelson was my first and favorite professor at U of C social work in 1982. He guided us with a gentle hand along the path of learning and discovery. My thoughts today are about those times, those lessons and the man who gave so much. Respectfully, Brent Harris