Memorable Manitobans: Lionel Gordon Orlikow (1932-2008)

Educator.

Born at Winnipeg on 31 August 1932, son of Louis Orlikow (?-1965) and Sylverta “Sylvia” Anderson (?-1971), half-brother of David Orlikow, he graduated with a degree in history from the University of Manitoba, focusing on on the pre-1920 Reform Movement in Manitoba. During the summer of 1961, he was engaged on a Manitoba Historical Society project to record interviews with persons who were in the political and labour fields in that period.

He received a Master of Education from Harvard University and taught social studies, English, and physical education at Lord Selkirk School (1956-1958). He later taught and coached the cross-country running team at Kelvin High School (1958-1962). After receiving a doctorate at the University of Chicago, he taught at the University of Toronto before returning to Winnipeg to join the provincial education department, rising to the rank of Deputy Minister (?-1977). He later helped to develop Manitoba’s first adult education centres and did educational consulting around Canada and the United States.

On 18 August 1956, he married Elizabeth Anne Slavin (1932-2021) at Oakville, Ontario and they subsequently had five sons and two daughters. He was a New Democratic candidate in the 1966 provincial general election, finishing a distant third place, and served as a trustee in Winnipeg School Division No. 1 (1988-1998). In recognition of his community service, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977).

He died at Winnipeg on 11 December 2008.

His articles for the Manitoba Historical Society:

The Reform Movement in Manitoba, 1910-1915
MHS Transactions, Series 3, 1959-1960 Season

Sources:

“Engagements,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 August 1956, page 11.

Obituary [Louis Orlikow], Winnipeg Tribune, 24 March 1965, page 32.

Obituary [Sylvia Orlikow], Winnipeg Free Press, 21 October 1971, page 35.

“His decades of service touched many: Orlikow inspired students to excel, achieve dreams,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 December 2008, page A11.

Obituary [Anne Orlikow], Winnipeg Free Press, 10 July 2021.

“The heart of the home,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 October 2021.

We thank Nancy Orlikow for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 16 October 2021

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!