Schools lower flags to honour Altomare

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WINNIPEG — Manitoba public schools have lowered their Canadian flags indefinitely as a tribute to the late NDP education minister, whose death will trigger a byelection.

Transcona MLA Nello Altomare, a lifelong resident in the working-class neighbourhood where he spent the bulk of his professional career as both a teacher and principal, died on Tuesday. He was 61.

“For us, Nello was not only a colleague, but a true friend. He is remembered for his kindness, gentleness, and loyalty,” said Sandra Herbst, superintendent of the River East Transcona School Division.

“Many of us have memories that reach back decades and include his beautiful family — Barb, Kiera, and Aiden.”

Herbst said all division buildings are flying flags at half-mast while administration provides internal support to employees, many of whom worked with Altomare before he retired in 2019.

The two-term NDP MLA had been on medical leave since October.

Altomare, a father of two adult children, struggled with complications from chemotherapy since entering blood-cancer remission in 2020.

Elections Manitoba staffers were saddened to hear about the tragic loss, said Mike Ambrose, director of communications and public information for the independent office.

Ambrose noted the sudden vacancy in the legislature requires that a byelection be held within 180 days.

Members of the public will soon be able to pay their respects in a book of condolences to be set up in the lobby of the legislature.

“Anyone who’s seen him in a classroom in River East Transcona School Division or at Dal’s or at Hi Neighbour Festival — or just anyone who knew this larger-than-life presence that we all knew and loved as Nello, you’ll have your opportunity to come and sign the book,” Premier Wab Kinew said.

Kinew did not have any other details about public proceedings to commemorate the career educator whom he affectionately dubbed “the mayor of Transcona.”

The NDP leader has pledged to introduce “Nello’s Law” later this session to protect the universal school nutrition program that came into effect in September.

There were generally three things about Altomare that stood out to people who met him, said Sandy Nemeth, a long-time colleague in the education sector.

They included: his signature grin; the endless and natural flow of good conversation; and his “incredibly firm handshake,” recalled Nemeth, a veteran trustee in St. Vital who often met with the late minister in her role as president of the Manitoba School Boards Association.

Louis Riel School Division managers took a moment to acknowledge and honour Altomare’s “life, service and legacy to public education” during a morning leadership meeting on Thursday.

Administrators in that division, as well as in Winnipeg, Pembina Trails, St. James-Assiniboia and Seven Oaks, have requested their schools lower flags in accordance with rules from the Manitoba Protocol Office.

Deputy education minister Brian O’Leary informed stakeholders they could participate in the symbolic gesture on Thursday.

All government buildings and establishments are following suit until further notice.

In an internal memo to his colleagues at education department, O’Leary acknowledged that everyone processes loss differently.

“It is a sad time in the Manitoba government this week, especially in the department,” he said, adding the late minister expressed his appreciation and respect for all Manitoba Education staff on multiple occasions during his brief tenure.

The loss marks the second time in three years that the NDP caucus is mourning a beloved member.

Colleagues across the political spectrum shared condolences in the house when the legislature resumed in early 2022 after the tragic death of Thompson MLA Danielle Adams.

The 38-year-old mother died on Dec. 9, 2021, in a winter car crash on Highway 6 in northern Manitoba. She had been en route to Winnipeg, where she was scheduled to attend an NDP fundraiser, during a storm.

Kinew keeps a framed photo of Adams — who was midway through her first term as the first woman elected to represent her community in the legislature — in his office as a reminder of her contribution to the party.

» Winnipeg Free Press