HARRY FLORENTINE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HARRY FLORENTINE On Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Vancouver General Hospital, Harry Florentine passed away peacefully. Harry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Hazel, and their children, Judy (Gorchynski) and husband Zenon of Vancouver, BC; sons, Gary (Roxanne) of Calgary AB, and Neil of Okotoks, AB; five grandchildren, Mark, Katie (Paul), Geoff, Derril and Michelle (JoJo) and three great-grandchildren, Reaney, Riley and Lucy. Also, two sisters-in-law, Mildred Towle and Betty Scott; nieces, Heather (Eddy) Isfeld and Sandra (Neal) Humphrey; nephews, Alan and David (Diane) Wood and their families, and all his many cousins on the Florentine side of the family. Harry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 11, 1918. His parents were young immigrants of Italian (Francesco) and Austrian (Christina) descent who had come to make a new life in Canada. He and his sisters, Marge and Ola, were raised in Winnipeg's North and West End districts and he attended Gordon Bell High School. Growing up in the Great Depression, he like so many others had few of life's luxuries but was content with what he had. Friendships forged in his youth remained with him throughout his life and the common bond of looking out for one another served him well when he enlisted to serve his country. Hank enlisted in the army in 1939 with the Winnipeg Rifles but later, overseas, transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders as they readied for the Allied invasion of Italy. He was wounded in action shortly after the Battle of Ortona in December of 1943 and returned to Canadian soil in 1944. His good natured ways and smiling countenance belied the horrors of the war, with the loss of friends and comrades, that he endured and survived. He worked his entire career at the Canadian Postal Service in Winnipeg and retired before age 60. Active throughout his retirement years he volunteered his time to various organizations and associations. Together with Hazel, they travelled extensively and they looked forward annually to spending the winter months in the warmer climates of Yuma, AZ and Mexico. Hank felt truly blessed with what life had given him, it far exceeded his expectations. He gave generously of himself to his family and others and his non judgmental attitude of acceptance endeared him to all who knew him. He was a unique individual that left a legacy of fond memories and thankfulness in knowing him. At his request, no services to be held but a family memorial service is planned in Winnipeg this coming summer.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 2009