“I have always been active donating my time to the world of politics and to causes that I thought were worthwhile,” Sharfe said modestly when interviewed on August 13, 2013.

At a ceremony in November 2012, Lorne Sharfe received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.  The medal, awarded by the Governor-General of Canada, is given to those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.

And Lorne Sharfe, a past practicing attorney dealing primarily in Real Estate development, has definitely made exemplary contributions to our community over the years.

He is the former Director of MB Development Corp. and the MB Housing Authority. He has devoted substantial time and efforts to volunteer with the the Heart and Stroke Foundation,  and has supported  the MB Lung Association, the Winnipeg General Hospital Cancer Research Foundation and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra where he sat on the board for four years and now sits on an Advisory Group to the President of the Winnipeg Symphont Orchestra.

“I think we all have a certain degree of generosity in us. When we can do something for someone else that’s productive and sincere, the giver also gets a sense of satisfaction. I get the satisfaction, so I do it,” said Sharfe.

Sharfe was a past-president of Temple Shalom. During that time he was instrumental in the fund raising, land purchase and development for the new synagogue building on Grant and Shalom Gardens.

Sharfe has been very involved in politics through a variety of positions and a multitude of fundraising efforts for PC candidates who included Gary Filmon, Jean Charest, Brian Pallister, Dorothy Dobbie, and Felix Holtman to mention a few and canvassing for PC candidates Provincial  and Federally consistently from election to election for approximately the past  fifty years.   His first involvement was with a Duff Roblin election campaign.

He is also the past president of the Provincial PC Tuxedo constituency and the PC Winnipeg South Centre riding. He has been awarded a lifetime membership in the Provincial PC party.

“I’ve lived a very lucky life. I’ve always had three meals on the table each day. I’ve always had a roof over my head. I have a beautiful wife and three children who are happy and healthy. I get up every morning looking for the next opportunity and always have. I guess that’s luck to some extent,” said Sharfe.

Sharfe was born in Naicam SK where his family owned a store.

“My parents were very sensitive that we were the only Jewish family in town and they wanted me to have a Jewish education so they sent me to Winnipeg in grade 4. Then they sent me back to Winnipeg to study for my Bar Mitzvah,” said Sharfe.

The family moved to Winnipeg when Sharfe was 13 where the family owned a shoe wholesale business in Winnipeg. Sharfe later became a lawyer.

“I wasn’t going to marry anyone until I could support them. I waited until I could buy a house and pay for three meals a day, Sharfe said.

Sharfe married his wife Cheryl Ann when he was 44. Cheryl Ann is very interested in the art community and volunteers at the Art Gallery where she selects art for sales and rental.

His brother Sherwood who also studied law now owns several car dealerships in Saskatchewan.

Sharfe is president of Seekville Inc. a land development company in Canada and the United States. Sharfe’s son Adam, 27 and single, has a commerce degree and is vice president of Seekville Inc. and president of AMS Ventures Ltd. which is  a land development company. He is also a real estate agent for Century 2.1.

Sharfe has two daughters. Rena, 32, has a radio and television arts degree from Ryerson and a diploma from Humber College and lives in Toronto. Aliza, 29, has a master’s degree in Business of Luxury Goods and Services from Monaco, lives in New York and married this past September in Las Vegas.

“I enjoy what I do. I’m a very lucky person. My son works with me and that gives me great satisfaction. . I sleep well at night because I try not to carry negative baggage with me. I have no regrets about the time and efforts I have spent volunteering,” said Sharfe.     

This is the second time Sharfe has been acknowledged for his selflessness and charitable nature. In 1992, Sharfe was also recognized for making a significant contribution to his fellow citizens, his community and to Canada and was awarded the 125^th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal.