Stanley Allen Nemiroff, beloved father, partner, friend, and teacher, passed away on the afternoon of April 12, 2021 in Ottawa. He is survived by daughters Carla and Rebecca (David), his son Daniel, grandchildren Gabriel, Annika, Xavier, Raine and Nikita (Shane), great grandson Jamie, Stanley’s partner of 18 years Anne Marie Walsh, his brother Gerry Nemiroff, and the mother of his children, Greta Hofmann Nemiroff. He will also be missed by members of his extended family, in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and his network of friends.

Born on September 16th, 1933 and raised in Montreal, Stanley was one of four children. His parents had immigrated some years earlier, escaping the turmoil of early 20th century Russia. He had a typical childhood, growing up within the Jewish immigrant community of Outremont. Although his family was observant, Stanley decided early in life to become an atheist, and held to this until the end of his life.

In the 1950’s Stanley was an outstanding engineering student at McGill University. His perfect lab-books were handed down within the department for generations. During a summer philosophy class, his passion for the subject was sparked, and he changed the course of his studies, attaining a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from McGill and Harvard Universities.

Stanley was a master-teacher, logician, and philosophical thinker, a man dedicated to education. He was known to his children as the Great Explainer, as we would often spend evenings in long, fascinating discussions with him while he sipped his cognac and smoked his pipe. A tenured professor at McGill, Stanley was Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in Education for many years. A teacher of new teachers, Stanley believed above all in fostering critical thinking skills for all students, starting in early childhood.

Stanley also was a pioneer in the early CEGEP system. He was instrumental in setting up the new Humanities Department at Dawson College, and co-founded the innovative, interdisciplinary Reflections Program there, which still flourishes today.

Stanley served four terms as the Chairman of the Board at St. George’s School of Montreal, and after retirement from McGill was twice elected to the Toronto School Board, representing North Etobicoke. As trustee, Stan joined with others in the left caucus and unions to oppose cuts to education by the Provincial government.

Stanley had a life-long passion for and commitment to social justice, and this was reflected in his teaching and in his political life. He had a large role in the creation of the first NDP riding association in Quebec in the early 1960’s, was active in socialist and anarchist discussion groups for many years, and later in life briefly became an active member of the Communist Party of Canada.

Stanley Nemiroff will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and friend with a wonderful sense of humour, a sharp yet gentle wit, a deep thinker with a brilliant mind, who enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, going for walks and spending quality time with loved ones.

Family and close friends gathered online for a Celebration of Life in May, 2021.

Condolences and memories of Stanley may be shared on this site.  Donations in Stanley Nemiroff’s name may be made to Doctors Without Borders-Medecins Sans Frontières, an organization he admired and supported.

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