MONTE NATHANSON

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MONTE NATHANSON

Monte Nathanson peacefully passed away on June 15, 2024, at home in Florida.

He is survived by his wife June and his children, Sherryl, Gail (Warren) and Janice (Joel), his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Max and Ida, and his brothers, Sidney and Cecil.

Monte was born on February 24, 1931, in Winnipeg. He attended University of Manitoba and then took over his father’s business, Quality Bedding. But property development and design were his passions, and he commenced his real estate career by taking ownership of several hotels across Canada. From hotels he expanded into retail and office developments. In Winnipeg, he was a visionary who saw the potential of converting deteriorating warehouses in the Exchange District into first-class office space. Form and function fascinated him, and he brought the same eye for design to his home and to his cottage at West Hawk Lake. Monte also excelled at golf and developed friendships with golfers he met at courses around the world.

He inherited his love for Jewish philanthropy from his father Max. He was a pillar of the community. At 19, Monte served as chair of the budget committee for the Jewish Welfare Fund. At 29, he was general chairman of the Winnipeg United Jewish Appeal Campaign. He was on the board of governors for the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University and was also involved with Manitoba Theatre Centre, Manitoba Medical Research Foundation, the United Way, and Manitoba Centennial Corporation.

As committed as he was to his business and other pursuits, the most important thing to him was family. He married June Rosen on December 26, 1954, and raised three daughters. He was a seminal presence in his grandchildren’s lives, seeing them nearly every day when they lived in Florida. They sought his counsel, brought him into their confidence and shared their hopes and dreams and yes, their setbacks with him, knowing that he would always dispense sage, reasoned advice and never judge them.

Monte enriched the lives of those around him, treating people from all stations of life with courtesy, dignity and respect. He truly touched the lives of so many and was beloved by all.

Funeral services were held in Florida on June 18. The family asks that donations in Monte’s memory be made to The June & Monte Nathanson Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, C400-123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg, MB R3N 2B2, Phone: (204) 477-7525 or Online: www.jewishfoundation.org

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 27, 2024, Jul 27, 2024