JAMES LLEWELLYN (LOU) HARRIES

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JAMES LLEWELLYN (LOU) HARRIES On Sunday, October 21, 2007, with his wife Marilyn by his side, Lou passed away after a lengthy but stoic battle with cancer. He is also survived by his son Mike, his brothers Michael (Deb) and Ken (Delma), and Desmond, his canine companion. Lou was predeceased by his parents Marjorie, father Ted and his brother David. Lou was born in Whitewood, Saskatchewan, on March 8, 1939. His family eventually moved to Winnipeg where they settled in St. James. Lou would be educated here and settle down to raise his own family in the neighbourhood. Lou was an owner/operator and then dispatcher/supervisor at Unicity Taxi for 16 years. It was during his time at Unicity that Lou became active in his union, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 832. His passionate commitment to the causes of working people would eventually lead to his being hired as a Staff Representative and contract negotiator. In a decade with UFCW, he tirelessly represented his members, helped in many organizing drives and negotiated better wages, working conditions and workplace rights. Soon after his retirement from UFCW in 1999, Lou was elected president of the UFCW Retirees club. He also served as Chair of the Taxi Cab Board for eight years and worked hard to make the Winnipeg taxi industry what is now amongst the safest in Canada. One of Lou's great passions in life was golf. He was an active member of Rossmere for 20 years and served on the Board of Directors. Lou was truly a summer fixture on the links, always ready for a game. Even as his illness advanced, Lou was there for opening day and many others in 2007 - kibitzing and joking with his crew. Anybody who found themselves short of a club could always sort through his collection of Ebay purchases in the trunk of his car. Lou was also an avid ten-pin bowler. He was a past-Director of the Manitoba Bowling and Manitoba Ten Pin Associations. He also served as Secretary and President of the Winnipeg Men's Senior league. Lou was also active for a time in the Winnipeg Trap and Skeet Club. And he loved a good game of bridge. Lou was also active in the New Democratic Party and was always there as a campaign volunteer for his friend Dave Chomiak and also Jim Rondeau. The family would like to thank the caring and thoughtful staff of the Grace Hospital and the very attentive staff on 3E at Riverview Health Centre. Thanks also to all Lou's golf, work and bowling buddies who visited Lou through his lengthy illness. A special thank you to very special friends Graham Dowdell, Jim Sanford, Nancy Quiring, David Lewis, Debbie and Mike, Don and Gail whose continual support through this difficult time will not be forgotten. There will be a celebration of Lou's life at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 22 at the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans - Winnipeg Unit No. 1, 300 - 1395 Ellice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to charity of choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 17, 2007