Peacefully with his family and friends at his side, Harvey died on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at Deer Lodge in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He lived to be 89 years and 7 months.
Harvey is survived by his grandchildren, Kayla and Raija Lecour; special family friends Sandra and Katie Buckberger. He will also be lovingly remembered by his cousins Allan (Patricia) Robertson and Kerri (Richard Dorge and Pat Vincent) Robertson and their respective children Grace, Jeff and Tim Robertson, Renee and Dominique Vincent.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Margaret Plunkett Black Patterson in 2001; daughter Rhonda Diane Isabell Lecour (1999), brother Corbett (1957); sisters Millicent (Milly, 2012), Ivadell (Ivy, 2011); mother Isabell Baker (1966) and father Norman Clifford (1988). Harvey’s aim was to make it to 90 years and live longer than his father. While he did not quite make 90, he did surpass his father by one month!
Harvey was born on September 12, 1924 on the family farm in the RM of Roland. He was the first born of five. Harvey spent his early days going to school and helping out on the family farm. He finished grade eight when his father needed him to help out full time on the farm. Harvey was a very hard worker and helped build a more successful farming operation. Despite his lack of early education, later in life Harvey took night courses and attained his GED from the province of Manitoba. This was a proud moment for the farm boy from Roland.
In 1943, at the age of 19, Harvey enlisted in the army. He attended training in Barrie, Ontario before being sent to the front lines in Germany (Huchwold Forest) as a private in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. He was proud of his contribution in WW II as well as being a Cameron and wore his blue hackle with pride. Harvey never once missed a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Minto Armouries, home of the QOCH.
It was while he was recuperating from a shrapnel wound in Edinburgh that he met and fell in love with Margaret Plunkett Black. He worked his way into her heart by bringing her his army provisions of cigarettes and chocolate. They were married in Edinburgh on September 28, 1946. He brought his lovely bride back to Canada where they resided for the first few years in the Morden area. While Harvey laboured on various farms, Margaret became acquainted with farm life and rural living.
Harvey and Margaret moved to the city of Winnipeg after a few years to seek new opportunities. As well, Margaret just wasn’t cut out to be a farm girl. Harvey was employed as a truck driver hauling gravel and later with CP Express. One of his favourite stories to tell was about those first few years when he was working hard to put food on the table and his truck tires were completely bald making his driving job dangerous. Margaret, being the frugal and conscientious CFO of their union, would not allow Harvey access to the money to get the much needed tires for his truck. Not willing to accept this, Harvey took out a loan which incensed Margaret as they now had to pay interest. He paid the loan back within months, and from then on, they worked a lot closer on financial planning.
In 1956, Margaret and Harvey welcomed their daughter Rhonda. She was a spitfire from the day she was born! Rhonda married Larry Lecour and had two beautiful daughters – Raija Dawn (1991) and Kayla Marie (1993). Harvey had many special memories of time spent with his granddaughters in Ottawa and Winnipeg.
Over the years, Harvey held various positions in the community as a way of actively demonstrating his concern for the greater good. He was involved in Winnipeg's labour movement, serving as President of the Winnipeg Labour Council in the early 1970s, the chairman for the province's 1970 Panel on Labour Relations and its 1971 Panel on Human Rights and Consumer Affairs. He ran and won the provincial election of 1973, for the NDP in the Winnipeg riding of Crescentwood. In 1978, he became the Executive Secretary of the Winnipeg Labour Council.
Harvey retired in the mid 1980’s. But he was never idle. Margaret made sure of that with many interesting projects he loved to do for her. Being the outgoing and friendly man he was, Harvey was always tinkering, lending a hand or just stopping to talk to people going by. He made quite an impression on those he met.
Harvey will be fondly remembered for his candy drawer in the house and his chocolate deliveries to various people in his life.
On Thursday, April 17, 2014 Harvey’s Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Harrow United Church, 955 Mulvey Avenue @ Harrow Street, with Rev. Teresa Moysey presider.
Special thanks are extended to T3 Special Care Unit at Deer Lodge, Tracey, Bob, Jay and JoJo of Home Instead, the staff in Dogwood House at the Rosewood, Rupertsland Caregivers and Harrow United Congregation who have all provided tremendous assistance and support to make Harvey’s more difficult years better. To the many others have also made a significant impact on Harvey’s life over the years - thank you.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Harvey’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba.
Richard Wojcik’s Winnipeg Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665, is in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com
