Nick Volkow left an “indelible mark” on Burnaby through his impassioned work as a city councillor, Mayor Mike Hurley said in a statement in council.
Hurley addressed the passing of Volkow, an eight-term councillor in Burnaby, at the onset of the Monday, June 22 city council meeting. Volkow died over the weekend, ending his years-long fight against brain cancer.
Hurley described Volkow’s legacy with the city as one that was deeply involved with music and parks – and music in parks.
Many of the city’s green spaces and “events we know and love are a direct result of Nick’s advocacy,” Hurley said.
Sorry to learn of Nick’s passing. He was a force of good. May his memory for a blessing for all who knew and loved him. Long-time Burnaby councillor Nick Volkow has died https://t.co/HK2aJd1SNk
— Selina Robinson (@selinarobinson) June 22, 2020
Politics was “part of the fabric of” Volkow’s life even long before he was elected to council in 1996 on the Burnaby Citizens Association ticket, Hurley said. It was only shortly after high school that Volkow, who grew up in East Vancouver, began working on B.C. NDP campaigns.
In 1983, Volkow and his wife, Shirley, moved to Burnaby to raise three children.
“Nick immediately took an active role in helping to shape the city,” Hurley said.
Shortly after landing in Burnaby, Volkow joined the city’s parks and recreation commission and the advisory planning commission.
Through that work, Volkow pushed the city to create more programs, particularly for youths, Hurley said.
Sending my condolences to the loved ones of Burnaby councillor Nick Volkow. He always stood up passionately for his community and his sense of humour will be missed. https://t.co/zYgGTIGsYx pic.twitter.com/wGVpY7RwVv
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) June 23, 2020
“(He) was also inspired by his own young family and became a driving force behind the creation of Burnaby’s first skateboard parks and youth centres,” he said.
Four years after he moved to the city, Volkow made an unsuccessful run for school board, followed by two unsuccessful bids for council before landing his seat in 1996. Once there, he gained the respect and admiration of residents and councillors, Hurley said.
Taking from his experience as a truck driver, he advocated for better transportation, including pushing for bike trails and the creation of the Central Valley Greenway.
“As Burnaby’s urban centres grew, Nick took pride in protecting the city’s green spaces and pushed to restore Burnaby Lake,” Hurley said.
RIP Cllr Nick Volkow. First elected in 1996, Nick was serving his eighth consecutive term as Burnaby Councillor at the time of his passing yesterday. A highly principled human being. Deepest condolences to his family.
— Sav Dhaliwal (@BurnabySav) June 22, 2020
“As a result, the lake continues to be a beloved place for people to enjoy peace and quiet whether on the trails or in a canoe.”
A lover of blues and jazz music, Volkow spearheaded the city’s Blues + Roots Festival.
“You could find rock and roll anywhere, he said, but for blues, you would have to visit Burnaby,” Hurley said of Volkow’s push for the festival. “With that, the Burnaby Blues + Roots was born. The festival has become one of the city’s signature events and a major tourist draw.”
News of the councillor’s passing was also met with an outpouring of support on social media.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Councillor Nick Volkow. Nick was committed to building a livable community, advocated for youth and the environment, and helped start the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival. We extend our sincere condolences to the Volkow family. pic.twitter.com/h18XE1WKeY
— Burnaby Mayor's Office (@MayorofBurnaby) June 23, 2020
In a tweet, Coun. Sav Dhaliwal called Volkow a “highly principled human being.”
Premier John Horgan praised his advocacy and said his sense of humour would be missed, while B.C. Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson called him a “force of good.”
He was also widely loved around city hall, Hurley said, noting he always got to know staff “on a personal level and first-name basis, treating them like his extended family.”
“Around the hall, he was known as a great storyteller and would often talk about weekend excursions to flea markets and vintage record stores in search of great jazz and blues albums,” Hurley said.
