City loses ‘Zoo keeper,’ music scene supporter

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This article was published 01/02/2011 (5742 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE city has lost its most famous Zoo keeper.

Chuck Green, co-owner of the Osborne Village Inn, which includes the bars The Zoo and Ozzy’s, died on Friday at the age of 54. Green had diabetes requiring him to be on dialysis for 20 hours a week, along with kidney and liver problems.

Green was a big supporter of the Winnipeg music scene and boasts a list of friends that includes music royalty and local bands that played their first live shows at the Zoo or Ozzy’s. Since purchasing the hotel with his brothers Coleman, David and Rick in 1978, thousands of bands have played on the venue’s two stages, including Nickelback, Lee Aaron, David Wilcox, Voivod, Soul Asylum, Black Oak Arkansas, Max Webster, the Guess Who and Sacrifice.

Green had a solid reputation with everyone he dealt with, from musicians to the media. He is survived by his wife Ruth; son Louis and daughter Minnie; his father Ernest; his three brothers and sister Cheryl.

He might have best been known as a business owner and local music promoter, but family was the most important thing in his life.

“I’ve done a lot of damage to my hands and feet — I’m in constant pain — but I’ve never had to worry about a paycheque. My brothers have always been there, running for me and protecting me. This place could burn to the ground and I wouldn’t shed one tear. But family… that’s really all you have,” he said during a 2007 interview with Winnipeg Free Press writer David Sanderson.

A graveside service will be held at Rosh Pina Cemetery, 2795 Main St. on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. with a meal of consolation to follow at at Etz Chaim Synagogue.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations made to the Canadian Kidney Foundation.

 

— Staff