Pillar of Maples community mourned

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This article was published 11/01/2018 (2988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The victim of a homicide in the Maples was a senior honoured by Mayor Brian Bowman and the North End BIZ for his contributions to the area.

Parviz Lotfi, also known as Hossein Lotfi, has been identified by Winnipeg police as the man found dead inside a house in the first 100 block of Manila Road on Tuesday night. He’s Winnipeg’s first homicide victim of the year.

Lotfi, 77, with his late wife Bibi, owned Joy Beauty Salon on Main Street until it closed in 2014 because of his wife’s failing health.

Bowman presented Lotfi with the Mayor’s BIZ Award in 2015.

“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Parviz Lotfi,” Bowman said in a statement on Thursday. “Mr. Lotfi was recognized as a leader and an individual who worked hard to make his community a better place to be. He was very active in the North End BIZ and upon meeting him, it was very easy to see his reputation for being friendly and cheerful.

“I would like to convey my thoughts and condolences to his family, friends and the North End BIZ.”

Rob McDonald, former president of the North End BIZ, remembers Lotfi as a great guy.

“It’s a tragedy,” McDonald said. “I’m shocked. He would have been the last guy I would think this would happen to.”

Police say they were led to Lotfi’s home after officers stopped a vehicle at the intersection of St. Anne’s Road and Fermor Avenue, but would not elaborate further.

Lotfi came to Canada from Iran more than 40 years ago and met his wife, who was a hairstylist in Winnipeg. Together they opened the Joy Beauty Salon, styling women’s hair for 33 years.

Lotfi also worked at CP Rail for 32 years. He volunteered on the North End BIZ’s board for a decade, as treasurer, secretary and board member.

An article on the North End BIZ website described Lotfi as “almost always the first to arrive at a meeting and never leaves without asking if anyone needs a ride and helping to clean up. He’s acted as a facilitator at numerous BIZ consultations, and never fails to attend greater community meetings, representing the BIZ.

“Parviz has a jovial nature, quirky sense of humour, and unique perspective on issues that have contributed immensely to the board.”

McDonald said he has no idea who would have committed such a vicious act against Lotfi.

“I’ve never been to his house — we were strictly business friends — but I knew him well enough if he had some problems he would have talked to me.”

Winnipeg police are asking anyone who had contact with Lotfi in the days before his death, or who has information, to call them at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca