ERNIE NELKO

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ERNIE NELKO June 21, 1922 - October 24, 2011 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ernie Nelko, at the age of 89, on October 24, 2011 after suffering a stroke. Ernie is survived by his wife Celeste, children Dana (Shelley), Lorne (Brenda), grandchildren Lindsay, Riley, Serena, Sharna and Maia. He is also survived by his brother Sid (Gwen), his sisters Sonia Yaffe and Claire Breslaw (Paul Granovsky) and his sister-in-law Sally. He is predeceased by his first wife Shirley and his second wife Ethel (Star), his brother-in-law Irvin Yaffe and his brother Max. Ernie was born in Ostrogu, Poland on June 21, 1922. He came to Canada with his parents Shulom and Chasie, his older brother Max and his younger sister Sonia in 1927. The family settled in Winnipeg's north end where his brother Sid and sister Claire were born. Ernie attended St. Johns High School and served in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War. After the war he attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a degree in pharmacy. He married Shirley and settled in Winnipeg's north end to raise a family. He acquired and operated the College Drug Store, at the corner of College and Main Street, which in the late 1950s and early 1960s became a north end Winnipeg landmark. Ernie is best remembered for greeting his customers warmly and looking after their needs. He was outgoing with a gregarious personality and great sense of humour. After selling the College Drug Store, Ernie worked at a number of different pharmacies throughout Winnipeg. He also travelled to a number of rural Manitoba communities including Churchill, Manitoba, during the summer months, in order to permit the resident pharmacists in those communities to take holidays with their families. Ernie had fond memories of his time in Churchill in particular. Ernie was a complex man who sought to live life to the fullest. He demonstrated great compassion and caring for his first wife Shirley, when she became ill. He remained devoted and attentive to her needs until her passing in 1986 after a lengthy illness. After Shirley's passing, Ernie married Ethel, who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Ernie married Celeste in 1994. He and Celeste divided their time between their homes in Florida and Winnipeg. They loved to travel and continued to plan trips up until the time of his passing. The family expresses our deep gratitude to the staff of the Hospice of Palm Beach, Florida, Stephen Schorr, Celeste's nephew of Boca Rotan, Florida, the staff of Bethesda Memorial Hospital, the staff of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and the Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, in Delray Beach, Florida. A graveside service was held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 30, 2011. The family wishes to extend our appreciation and gratitude to Rabbi Lawrence Pinsker for the beautiful service he conducted. If so desired, donations can be made in Ernie's memory to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2011