DR. HAROLD NELSON COLBURN -

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DR. HAROLD NELSON COLBURN 1926 - 2011 It is with great sadness we announce the sudden, but peaceful, death of Harold Nelson Colburn on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - the day following his 85th birthday. Harold is survived by the love of his life, his beloved wife of 63 years, Margaret (Peggy) Hopper; his loving children, Kathleen (Robert Paterson), Colleen, Mary Louise, Janine (David Whenham) and Dianne (Roland Post); his cherished grandchildren, Lindsay, Jennifer and Kyle Paterson, Gregory and Julia Levesque, Cara Whiting, Jasmine, William and Alison Whenham, Jessica Faulkner, Brian and Kaitlyn Addley; and great-granddaughter Elizabeth Whenham. Dear brother of Shirley and brother-in-law of Douglas Walmsley. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all. Harold was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba where he spent his formative years. After a short-lived stint in the Canadian Armed Forces, Harold attended the University of Manitoba where he completed his medical studies and graduated in June 1951. The early years of Harold's medical career were spent serving native communities in northern Manitoba, a vocation which presented a multitude of interesting opportunities and experiences, and which suited his humanitarian spirit very well. Later years were spent in Ottawa in the area of Public Health where Harold pioneered early Smoking and Health, and Healthy Lifestyle initiatives and legislation. Harold retired from the Federal Government in 1986 after a varied and distinguished career. In retirement, Harold enjoyed the simple pleasures of the world around him in lengthy daily walks throughout the Westboro area and beyond. It was the wish of the deceased that no visitation or funeral be held. A private family memorial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Doctors without Borders or the Canadian Wildlife Federation would be greatly appreciated. On-line life stories, tributes and/or condolences may be made at www.colefuneralservices.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2011