WILLIAM (BILL) CECIL HARRISON

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WILLIAM (BILL) CECIL HARRISON Peacefully, at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, "Bill", as he was known to his many friends. He leaves, not to mourn his passing but to celebrate his life, his loving wife of 55 years, Marguerite Winnifred "Winnie" and his two sons, James Charles, of Winnipeg and Mark Laird of Blackfalds, AB; together with his six grandchildren, John Douglas (of Calgary, AB), Jennifer Dawn (also of Calgary), Amanda Lynn of Kamloops, BC), Tanis Marie (of Mackenzie, BC), Chantal Deanne (of Abbottsford, BC) and Meghan Courtney (of Mackenzie) as well as his two great-grandchildren, Noah and Kyleigh (also of Mackenzie). He was predeceased by his father Charles Porter Harrison when he was three years old and his mother Mary when he was still a child. Numerous brothers and sisters have also gone before him. William was born in Niverville, MB on the family farm, but moved to Winnipeg on his fathers passing in 1921. He later moved to Grande Pointe, MB with his mother and stepfather. He, like a lot of his generation, got to see the country by train, for free. Given his thrifty manner, you could always tell he was a product of the Great Depression. He survived that, however, and went off to heed the call of King & Country in 1939 and went overseas with the Second Division of the Canadian Army. When he came home several years later, he met and married Winnie and tried his hand at a number of jobs until he found the one he would remain at until he retired over two decades later. That was for the Department of National Defense at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg. In his younger days, he was an avid fisherman and always enjoyed the Big Whiteshell, where he and Winnie camped from 1946 when they were married, until he built a cottage there in 1961. In his retirement years, he enjoyed fixing small engines and visiting with friends at his home where he resided for over 50 years. Thanks to Drs. Bartlett, Irving and all of the nursing staff at the Grace Hospital for all their care and kindness. God Bless You All. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Grace Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Dr., R3J 3M7. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 21 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Edward J. Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald St. Funeral service celebrating Bills life will be held Thursday, November 22 at 1:00 p.m. also in the chapel with interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Belgian Club, 407 Provencher Blvd. in St. Boniface. In care of arrangements: EDWARD J. COUTU LTD. FUNERAL DIRECTOR 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 21, 2001