Bernard "Bernie" Narvey

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of BERNIE NARVEY on August 6, 2021 at the age of 65.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 28 years Barb Shearer, daughter Emma Esther Narvey (Mariana), sisters Roberta Kravitz (Fred), Carol Hoffman, brother Marty Tadman (Laurelle) and Shelley Tadman, mother-in-law Reta Shearer, brothers-in-law Don Shearer (Corie), Jim Shearer (Marlene), nieces and nephews Eli Hoffman (Adele), Shayna Hoffman (Jeremy), Esther Kravitz , Joel Kravitz, Bryan Kravitz, Jack Tadman (Leanne), Elizabeth Shearer (Cole), William Shearer (Mellissa), Caelyn Shearer, Brenden Shearer (Nicole) and all of his great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

He is predeceased by his mother Esther Narvey, father Mel Narvey, stepmother Sooky Narvey, stepbrother Arthur Tadman and twin sister Sandra Narvey.

Bernie grew up in Portage la Prairie and was raised in a big house on the lake along with his sisters by their loving parents, Esther and Mel Narvey.  He experienced a heartbreaking loss when his mother Esther passed while he was a young boy. Thankfully he was later loved and guided in life by Sooky (Tadman) who became his new mom, parenting alongside Mel. From this union he was joined in love as brothers with Marty and Arthur Tadman.

After completing high school in Portage La Prairie, Bernie set out for the big city to study film, theatre and English at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg. He began a Master’s Degree in English but before completion, was lured away from those studies to pursue his love of film and filmmaking.

In the beginning years of the film industry in Winnipeg he began working with the Winnipeg Credo Group directed by Derek Mazer and Joan Scott who mentored young film folks like Bernie, who in turn became mentors to others. Writing was always his first love, publishing a book of poetry as a young man, and commissioned by Credo to write a film screenplay. He took on many roles in the film industry in those early days, eventually becoming irreplaceable as a Location Manager.

Bernie loved his work and pursued it with ardent integrity. He worked tirelessly to make sure that the film producer’s needs were fairly balanced with the needs of the community who opened up their homes, businesses or public spaces as a film location. Bernie was well respected in the industry and the community.

In addition to being a pioneer in the industry he was a force who worked to build and create sustaining structures for the film industry such as City of Winnipeg Film liaison position and a similar role in the MB Government, the rewriting of a portion of the Highway Traffic Act governing film, contributing to MB Film and sound Film Training Institute and behind the scenes work in the Directors Guild.

Bernie’s work took him out into the Winnipeg and Manitoba communities. Many times his Narvey name would be greeted with the question; “Are you Mel or Harold’s son?” and just like Mel or Harold a storied reply was in order.

Anyone who was ever a passenger in Bernie’s travels around Winnipeg or Manitoba certainly heard numerous location stories. Remember the one about how he managed to get the train to move with one phone call. Magic, thought a young Emma!

As much as he loved his work he loved his time spent with his wife Barb and daughter Emma, extended family and his many long-time friends.  Bernie never missed a Winnipeg Folk Festival or New Music Festival.

Barb and Bernie travelled to Cuba and Jamaica several times, spent a month in Thailand with Emma and most recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a long road trip in Scotland. Over the early “Emma years” portions of the summer were always spent at various rented cottages at Lester Beach where precious memories were created.

He was a kind and gentle soul. He will be missed.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Shaarey Shamayim Cemetery at 230 Armstrong Ave. Bill Weissmann officiating.

Pallbearers will be Keithen Harris, Harvey Frankel, Bruce Narvey, Sid Palansky, Sid Weinstein and Barry Weinstein.  Honourary Pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews:  Shayna Hoffman, Eli Hoffman, Joel Kravitz, Bryan Kravitz, Esther Kravitz and Jack Tadman.

Barb, Emma and family are deeply grateful for the care Bernie was given this past year from the exemplary folks at Cancer Care Manitoba, Palliative Home Care and Riverview Palliative Care 3E. Bernie received the highest quality of medical and personal care and was always treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Donations in Bernie’s memory may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.