HAROLD J. OWENS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HAROLD J. OWENS Harold Owens died quietly on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at the Douglas Campbell Lodge in Portage la Prairie. Harold was predeceased by his wife Ruth (Guinn) Owens and his brother Donald Owens. He is survived by his son Kent and his wife Myrna, of Medicine Hat; his daughter Susanne Moroz, her husband Bill and their children, Craig and Stephanie; his daughter Judith Owens, her husband Gilbert Chartrand and their children, Madeleine and Adriana, all of Winnipeg; his sisters-in-law, Dorothy McLachlan and Nell Owens and brother-in-law Murray Guinn, all of Portage and by nieces, nephews and cousins. Harold was born in Portage on June 28, 1916, to Maude (Campbell) Owens and Joseph Owens. He attended school in the district of Flee Island and in Portage; later, he trained as a pilot, becoming a commissioned officer in the RCAF and serving as a flying instructor. He and Ruth married on February 27, 1943, in Fort William. Following his service during the Second World War, he declined offers to join commercial airlines and returned to Portage, where he and Ruth raised their children. He farmed in Flee Island with his brother and joined Guinn Simpson Marble and Granite, where he worked for many years, until well past retirement age, with his father-in-law and brother-in-law. He retained a lifelong interest in politics, in earlier years working tirelessly on numerous Liberal election campaigns, in one instance as the candidate's campaign manager, and in later years following American politics with great interest. He remained interested also in sports, as participant and spectator; he was an avid curler for many years and, later, an even more avid golfer, and would often watch one football or baseball game on television while listening to another on the radio. In later life, he was fascinated with nature; he enjoyed drives in the country and was very fond of watching and feeding the geese that gathered yearly in front of his home, and of sharing that pleasure with his grandchildren. Harold was always quietly proud and actively supportive of his family, generous with encouragement and practical support. He delighted in the accomplishments of his grandchildren and welcomed their weekend visits. He was a man who enjoyed conversation, discussion and debate, and who kept his sense of humour to the end. He will be missed. Private interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend the memorial service to be held Tuesday, May 9, 1:30 p.m., at Trinity United Church, Tupper Street, Portage la Prairie. Omega Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. If friends so wish, they may make donations in Harold's memory to the Douglas Campbell Lodge in Portage or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com Dedicated to those we serve .

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2006