Zdenek (Dan) Zeidler: A trusted confidant and loyal friend.

30 October 2007

Activist Dan Zeidler remembered
as kind, gentle person

News of the sudden death on Monday of Dan Zeidler has shocked and saddened his union colleagues and friends.

"He will be missed, both as a person and as one of our front-line fighters," says Arnold Amber, Director of CWA|SCA Canada, for which Zeidler worked as a staff representative.

Zeidler, felled by an aneurysm at his home in Winnipeg yesterday morning, was 56 years old.

"Danny was probably the gentlest, kindest person I have ever known,” says close friend Dan Oldfield, senior staff representative at the Canadian Media Guild (CMG). “He could be tough but was always fair. He was a loyal friend to me personally and to the Guild family. I will miss his quiet wisdom, his constant kindness and his remarkable sense of humour."

Amber noted that, on a personal level, he'd known Dan for 35 years. "He was a wonderful gentleman and a good man. He made friends easily and enjoyed life."

Zeidler, who started with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in the early 1970s as a copy clerk in National Television News, was one of 12 Guild members locked out in 1972 for supporting their striking NABET colleagues. This group, which included Amber, became known as the Dirty Dozen.

"Dan was 'Union' from the first year that he joined," says Amber. "He went on from the NABET strike and worked for the union for the rest of his life."

Zeidler worked for the CBC in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Edmonton (as a senior editor) and then Vancouver. He took a leave from the CBC in 1989 to join The Newspaper Guild's international staff and later moved to TNG Canada/CWA (now CWA|SCA Canada).

Oldfield says that Zeidler was always active in the Guild, serving on local and national executives. He was a member of several negotiating committees and took part in many organizing drives. Most recently, he was assisting CMG in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, primarily working with Guild leaders at APTN and CBC.

“Dan will be missed for his commitment to the members at APTN and, of course, his many years of service to the union,” says Allan McKay, president of the APTN branch of the CMG. “I personally will miss his camaraderie and friendship. When I needed a trusted confidant, he was always there.”

“I got to know Dan only two years ago, when I took on the task of leading our location as president,” says Joe Dudych, CMG location president at CBC in Winnipeg. “I knew very little about the job. Dan became my mentor, confidant, cheerleader and friend. I introduced him at last year’s Winnipeg AGM as number one on my speed dial. To say he was generous with his time would be an understatement.”

“I will miss his quiet calm in meetings, and his dry sense of humour that managed to put everyone at ease around him,” adds Joe. “His passing means that there is one good guy less in the world. We are all poorer for it.”

Dan leaves his wife, Hortense, and sisters Hedy Kusch and Susan Paulozza.

Winnipeg Free Press | Nov. 1, 2007

ZDENEK (DAN) ZEIDLER died suddenly on Monday, October 29, 2007 at Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg at age 56. Dan was born in 1951 near Frankfurt as his family was coming to Canada. He worked for the CBC in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Edmonton and Vancouver between 1968 and 1989. In 1989, he took a leave from CBC to join the Newspaper Guild as an international staff member, later moving to the Communications Workers of America. In 1989, he met his wife Hortense. Dan was the love of Hortense's life, and she was his. Dan was a member of Chaine de Rotisseur, reflecting his love of food and wine and had a passion for music, theatre and storytelling. He was a true connoisseur of life. Dan is survived by his wife Hortense, his two sisters Hedy Kusch (Brian), Susan Paulozza and her husband Ken, niece Karen Kusch, nephews Michael and Jonathon Paulozza, mother and father-in-law Mr. Reginald and Hortense Hodge, brother-in-law Gideon, and an extensive network of friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Vlasta and Zdenek Zeidler. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Thomson In The Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society or a charity of choice in lieu of flowers. Thomson In the Park Funeral Home and Cemetery www.thomsoninthepark.com 925-1120. Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com .

Arrangements

Memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home
1291 McGillivray Blvd.
Winnipeg MB      LOCATOR MAP
 204-925-1120

A reception will follow the ceremonies at the Thomson facility. A wake will be held later that day and into the evening at a Winnipeg hotel.
 
The family requests that no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Winnipeg Humane Society (5 Kent St., Winnipeg MB R2L 1X3) or a charity of your choice would be very appreciated.
 
Expressions of sympathy can be mailed to:
Ms. Hortense Hodge-Zeidler
206 Tufnell Drive
Winnipeg MB  R2N 1K1

The family requests that anyone wishing to visit the Zeidler home to please call first (204-254-0898).