HARRY FITZGIBBONS

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HARRY FITZGIBBONS Peacefully at home in St. Thomas on Monday June 6, 2011 in his 90th year. Husband of the late Evelyn Fitzgibbons. Dear father of Linda Gair (Bruce) of St. Thomas. Loving grandfather of Geoff Gair (Kathy) of British Columbia, Karen Gair (Stephen Turner) of London, Stephen Cara (Chantal Jasmin) of Calgary and Chris Cara (Rachelle) of Winnipeg. Great-grandfather of Neala, Javin, Claire, Nathan, Danika, Noah and Brielle. Brother-in-law to Harold (Bud) Irving of Winnipeg, Hal Perry of Calgary, Mary Fitzgibbons of Newfoundland and Eileen Sherman of London. Harry met his wife of 67 years, Ev, in St. Thomas, ON. At the time Harry was a R.C.A.F. trainee stationed in Fingal, ON. Their favourite pastime was to catch the weekend train to Port Stanley and dance the night away to the big band sound. They married in 1941. In 1948 Harry moved Ev and his two girls back home to Winnipeg where, as well as working for the Fitzgibbons family lumber business, he played football for the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Football Club, 1946 to 1949. Later Harry became a life time member of the Blue Bomber Alumni Association. Harry coached football at both the college and intermediate level and went on to coach the 1952 Norwood / St. Boniface Legionaries and the 1956 Winnipeg Rams, both winners of the Intermediate Football Championship of Manitoba. In 2006 the 1952 Norwood / St. Boniface Legionaries were inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. In 1966 Harry and Ev moved to Vernon, BC where Harry continued to work in the lumber business until retirement in 1975. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Predeceased by his daughter Dale Cara. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held in Rodney, ON July 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception in London. If friends so wish, donations may be made to a favourite charity. Expressions of sympathy would be appreciated and may be made through London Cremation Services, (519) 672-0459 or online at www.londoncremation.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 11, 2011