Memorable Manitobans: Cornelius Van “Neil” Thiessen (1919-2016)

Educator.

Born at Weidenfeld on 24 February 1919, son of Franz F. Thiessen and Helena Peters, he grew up on a farm near Kane and served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. After his military discharge, he worked as a teacher at Grunthal, serving as the Principal of Goodwill School (1948-1950), General Byng School (1950-1955), Crane School (1955-1962) and Ralph Maybank School (1963-1965), and as Superintendent of the Fort Garry School Division (1976-1981) until retirement in 1981, after which he moved to Calgary, Alberta. He was President of the Canadian Sunday School Mission. He died at Okotoks, Alberta on 15 July 2016.

Sources:

Birth registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Retirement reception,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 May 1981, page 15.

Obituary, Pierson’s Funeral Service Limited.

We thank Nathan Kramer for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 25 August 2021

Memorable Manitobans

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.

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