TED NEBBELING

NEBBELING TEDFormer Whistler mayor and Liberal MLA Ted Nebbeling passed away at his Vancouver home Wednesday, Oct. 28. Ted is survived by his partner of 36 years, Jan Holmberg, and his sister Sophia Van Hattum, of Klarenbeek, Holland. Originally from Amsterdam and Stockholm respectively, Ted and Jan immigrated to Canada in 1977. After establishing the Scanwich restaurant, catering to business executives in downtown Vancouver, they sold the business to their staff and moved to Whistler in 1979. Ted and Jan opened a variety of retail stores in the fledgling Whistler Village. In the mid-80s, concerned that Whistler's economy was too reliant on winter business, Ted became interested in local politics. He began his political career in 1986 when he was elected to Whistler council. He was re-elected as a councilor in 1988. In 1990 he was elected to his first term as mayor, and was re-elected in 1993. After ten years in municipal politics, Ted moved on to provincial politics and was elected as the Liberal MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi in 1996. In opposition he served as critic for municipal affairs, forests, and employment and investment. Ted was re-elected in 2001 as the Liberals swept to power. Under Premier Gordon Campbell Ted served as Minister of State for Community Charter and Minister of State for the 2010 Winter Olympics. He was part of the delegation in Prague in July 2003 when the 2010 Winter Olympics were awarded to Vancouver and Whistler. On November 15, 2003, a few months after a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling legalized same-sex marriage, Ted and Jan were married at their Coal Harbour apartment. At the time, Ted was one of the most senior politicians in the world in a same-sex marriage. That status ended a day later when a cabinet shuffle left Ted without portfolio. The government stated that the timing was coincidental and that there was no prejudicial motive behind the move. Prior to the cabinet shuffle Ted had already decided not to seek re-election and had informed the Premier of his decision. In an interview following the cabinet shuffle Ted said: "...quite frankly I have known (Campbell) now for over 20 years and I consider him a personal friend and he feels the same about us, so I know 100 per cent that that would never enter his mind." Ted left provincial politics following the election in May of 2005. He and Jan planned to travel more, but politics, and the state of business in Whistler, drew him in once again. He launched a third bid for mayor in August 2005. "I really had no intention of running but I also quickly realized once I was back that I had far too much energy and ideas," he said. However, the campaign was unsuccessful, as Ted ran second to Ken Melamed. In recent years Ted and Jan have traveled extensively, timing their trips between chemotherapy sessions. A private service will be held in West Vancouver on Monday, November 2. A Celebration Of Life is planned for Saturday, November 14 at My Place, Whistler at 3.00 p.m. In lieu of flowers Gifts honoring Ted's memory can be made to BC Cancer Foundation in support of The Ted Nebbeling and Jan Holmberg Endowment Fund. donate.bccancerfoundation.com/goto/Ted . For further information please visit www.MeM.com . Funeral arrangements provided by Hollyburn Funeral Home, 1807 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, 604-922-1221.