ARISTOTLE JOHN (TELLY) MERCURY, Q.C.

Aristotle (Telly) Mercury died peacefully at the Health Sciences Centre on February 22, 2010 after a happy and successful life. He leaves his wife of 40 years, Nancy, sons John Paul, Jamie (Kim), Mark, grandson Aris, brother Michael (Maria), sister Catherine Roussalis (Louis), his mother Evangeline and many nieces and nephews. Telly was predeceased by his father John Mercury.

Telly was born on September 2, 1934 in Winnipeg. A graduate of the University of Manitoba Law School, Telly articled with the law firm of Campbell and Haig and received his Bachelor of Laws Degree with Honours in 1960, being the year of his call to the Bar. He continued his practice with Lorne Campbell, Q.C. and became a partner of the firm known as Campbell and Mercury. In 1964, the firm merged with the Aikins, MacAulay firm where he continued the practice of law until his recent illness. Besides being a gifted corporate lawyer, his outstanding people skills made him a successful negotiator. He was the legal expert to whom the late Ben Hatskin turned in order to break the N.H.L. monopoly on professional hockey and to establish the World Hockey Association ( WHA ). It was Telly who concluded the million dollar deal with the Golden Jet, Bobby Hull, to bring him to the Winnipeg Jets. As General Counsel to both the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club and the WHA he oversaw the establishment of various hockey franchises in Canada and the United States. Telly was very active in the legal community. He was President of the Manitoba Bar Association in 1977 - 1978, a member of the Bar Planning Committee in 1979 - 1980, and a past Provincial Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Committee. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1983.

Telly served his community in many other ways. He was a director of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, a board member of the Air Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba), a member of the The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 182 (Gimli) and of the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation. He incorporated the Hellenic Greek Orthodox Church of Winnipeg, served as its General Counsel and was a member of the board for many years. Telly was also the Chairman of the legal committee and General Counsel of Judo Canada. Telly proudly held a 5th degree black belt in Judo, was a former Manitoba Black Belt Champion and represented Manitoba seven consecutive times in the Canadian National Judo Championships. Known as the the General by many of his close friends, Telly will be fondly remembered for his unpretentious, easy going, yet highly principled approach to life. There was never a person for whom he would not make time, and seldom a problem from which he would shy away.

His friends, his colleagues, his clients and, most important, his family, were everything to Telly. His professional and athletic accomplishments pale in comparison to what he brought to the lives of his wife and children. Telly was, in a word, PHILOTIMOS which in Greek means a man of honour and compassion. Simply put, he had nobility of character. He will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to extend its thanks and appreciation to Doctors Rajat Kumar and James Johnston at CancerCare Manitoba and Telly's good friend, Dr. Kevin Coates, for their excellent care. They also express their deep gratitude and thanks to the highly professional and dedicated nursing staff at both CancerCare and the Health Sciences Centre. Prayer services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave. Funeral services will take place at the church at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 27, 2010. Interment will follow the service at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. EONIA E MNIMI TOU May his memory live forever. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplasia Association of Canada, Research Fund, 11181 Yonge Street, Suite 321, Richmond Hill, ON, L4S 1L2 or online at www.aamac.ca. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0X4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com