LEVAN (VAN) HALL

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LEVAN (VAN) HALL On Saturday, August 11, 2007, Van died peacefully at Riverview Health Centre at the age of 68. He is greatly missed by his wife Susan; daughter Kaley; son Simon; daughter-in-law Sandra and granddaughter Abby; brother Ron; sister Lyndy and brother-in-law Bob. Also missing Van are his three nephews: Jim, wife Brenda and sons, Tyler and Devon; Bob, wife Judy and daughter Lyndy; Rick and his partner Diane, as well as other loving family and a warm circle of very dear and very devoted friends. Van was predeceased by his father Lloyd and his mother Helen. Van was born and grew up in Toronto. He entered the Chartered Accountancy program after high school, completing it over five, travel-filled years in various locales. He worked initially in the private sector before moving to St. John's, Newfoundland to teach at Memorial University. It was there where Simon and Kaley were born. Van and Susan then joined C.U.S.O. and moved to Tanzania where Van worked as controller of the National Development Corporation and helped implement the country's first professional accountancy program that he himself had designed. During this time Van and Susan made many lifelong friends. Upon returning to Canada in 1975 Van and Susan moved to Winnipeg. Van joined the government (C.E.D.F.) as Treasurer and Assistant General Manager. Van then entered public practice in 1978, where he was to work until his semi-retirement in 2004. In 2003 he was elected Fellow of the Manitoba CA Institute for outstanding service to the profession and the community. It was a great joy to Van that, over the years, his daughter Kaley worked alongside him in the office and that, more recently, he was able to pass his business on to his son Simon. During his public practice career, Van worked very closely with numerous Aboriginal communities and organizations, providing financial services and training to students. He also continued to teach through the New Careers Program and the Faculty of Continuing Education at the University of Manitoba. Van also undertook development work in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. He served on the boards of both public institutions (Manitoba Lotteries Commission and Flyer Industries) and of various not-for-profit organizations (North-South Institute, Assiniboine Credit Union, Oxfam and Klinic Community Health Centre) and was volunteer auditor of many others. Through these activities, Van made many more enduring friendships. Van's contributions and accomplishments were recognized by the Province of Manitoba. Shortly before his death, Van learned that he had been awarded the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, one of the highest honours the Province can bestow on individuals who demonstrate outstanding skills in the areas of leadership, service and community commitment. Van consciously chose to work with the less advantaged and put public service above private gain. He was a man of principle with great integrity. He was an avid sports fan, coach, and physical and electronic participant. He also read extensively and had a great, if sometimes corny, sense of humour. ( Hiya handsome. Get the joke? ) He had a great laugh which was with him to the end. He loved people and people loved him. Van felt he had lived life to the fullest and he had. Nonetheless, his passing is a source of great sorrow to family and friends. The family wish to thank, very much, the health care providers who participated in Van's care at St. Boniface General Hospital, at CancerCare Manitoba, at Community Therapy Services, in the Palliative Home Care Program and on the Palliative Care Unit at Riverview Health Centre, as well as his family doctor and long term physiotherapist. Their capable and compassionate care is greatly appreciated. A memorial gathering will be held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Fort Garry Hotel on Sunday, August 26 at 6.30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Spirit of Giving Fund at the Southeast Resource Development Council, 360 Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0T6. Cropo Funeral Chapel - (204) 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 23, 2007