HAROLD DENNIS BASTABLE

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HAROLD DENNIS BASTABLE Suddenly on Sunday, September 23, 2007, Harold passed away at his home at Fred Douglas Lodge at the age of 89. Harold was predeceased by his brother Vern, a holder of the Military Cross and a jet pilot who crashed in Charleswood in March 1949; his brother Gerry who died in France during the Second World War while serving in the Canadian army; and Jack Bastable. He leaves behind his wife Minnie; sons, Vern (Beverly), Gord (Suzanne) and Bob (Sylvia); grandchildren, Vern Jr. (Sarah), Erin (Chuck), Mike, Holly, Jane (Mike) McMahon, Robin (Steve) Bradley, Mandy (Dan) Pfeffer, and David (Laura); and great-grandchildren, Jenéa, Jaxsyn, Jake, Krysty-Ann, Derek, Cassidy and Brody. Harold was born April 26, 1918 in Winnipeg to Denis Bastable and Elizabeth McKeon. He and Minnie were married on August 3, 1940. He worked for C.P. Express in Winnipeg for 37 years. He enlisted in the Air Force May 1, 1942 and was trained as a navigator on the Halifax Bomber. He was shot down over Paris in June 1944, ending up in the Buchenwald concentration camp. After the war, Harold was very active in the St. James Branch of the Legion. He served on the executive and provincial boards. He organized outings and social functions for ailing veterans, collected used books for servicemen overseas, eyeglasses for transfer to Third World countries, and raised funds for wheelchairs and sports programs. He was an indefatigable fund-raiser who received the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award in 2001 for recognition of outstanding and selfless contribution to your community and Canada. Harold spoke to various groups over the years about his Second World War experiences and saw this as his responsibility to pass the torch of Remembrance to our children and grandchildren. In 2006, Harold was the first recipient of the George Buzz Buerling Appreciation Award for his relentless efforts to educate the Canadian public about... the anguish and devastation of those imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps. Grandpa will miss and be missed by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered as a caring, generous, and always approachable spirit. A service will be held Monday, October 1, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Thanks to the staff at Fred Douglas Lodge on Burrows for their care, patience and positive spirit while working with dad and mom. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed. Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 29, 2007