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Mar 27, 2018

Honouring A Friend

Qualico supports the Wilf Taillieu Thoracic Endoscopy Unit at HSC

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Winnipeg, MB – When Headingley Mayor Wilf Taillieu’s battle with esophageal cancer sadly ended in June 2016, his wife Mavis wanted to do something for the Health Sciences Centre Foundation in his memory. So, Mavis made the lead donation to launch the campaign for the Wilf Taillieu Thoracic Endoscopy Unit at HSC Winnipeg. Once operational, the unit will allow for faster diagnosis, treatment, and care for patients with esophageal and lung cancers and other conditions.

Wilf took over his father’s business, Taillieu Construction Ltd., in 1974, and ran it with his brother, Roger, and nephew, Bob Reidy. The company continues to specialize in sewer and water infrastructure, with projects spanning across western Canada. During Wilf’s time leading the company, he was involved in numerous subdivision projects in and around Winnipeg, including Whyte Ridge, River Park South, and Assiniboine Landing. Wilf also served as Chair of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, and on the boards of the Canadian Construction Association and the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association.

Over the years, Wilf and Mavis developed a close friendship with Qualico owners Brian and Ruth Hastings. To honour Wilf’s memory, Brian and Ruth joined Mavis as contributors to the campaign to develop the Wilf Taillieu Thoracic Endoscopy Unit at HSC.

Wilf touched the lives of many, as could be seen in the many moving messages of condolence after his passing. Bruce Clapham, a former Qualico employee, worked with Wilf on a number of construction projects and considered him a good friend.

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“My wife Joyce and I were so sad to lose such a great man and friend at such a young age,” he said. “We spent some wonderful vacations with Wilf and Mavis, memories that will always be very special to us. I can still hear his wonderful laugh when he was visiting us in our home in Fargo. A special friend, gone too soon. Our sympathies go to his family. He was very loved by all.”

Eric Vogan, Vice President Community Development at Qualico Communities Winnipeg, worked with Wilf on projects for over 30 years, and noted Wilf’s strong contribution to the industry and Taillieu Construction Ltd.

“Nobody does better work than Taillieu Construction,” he said, “which is a testament to the people who worked for Wilf. He loved doing land development and was great to work with.”

Dr. Larry Tan, head of the thoracic surgery team at HSC, has been practising for 23 years in Manitoba and is an enthusiastic advocate for the Wilf Taillieu Thoracic Endoscopy Unit at the hospital. According to Larry, the unit would bring all of the required equipment together and allow doctors to work more efficiently, provide more timely consultations, have fast access to their patients’ CT scans, and book patients directly for biopsies. Wait times and healthcare costs would be greatly reduced and HSC would become the first centre in Canada to operate state-of-the-art navigational bronchoscopy equipment. Navigational bronchoscopy provides real-time three-dimensional scans that help surgeons find and treat hard-to-reach lung tumours. It’s technology that surgeons could only dream of not too long ago. And now, together, we can turn that dream into a reality.

The Health Sciences Centre Foundation campaign for the Wilf Taillieu Thoracic Endoscopy Unit is a multi-million dollar endeavour. Qualico’s gift is a significant and proud expression of support. To make an individual donation to this campaign in Wilf’s memory, please visit http://www.hscfoundation.mb.ca/main.asp?fxoid=FXMenu,2&cat_ID=4&sub_ID=117.

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