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MELVIN HARPER
Born: May 20, 1929
Date of Passing: Feb 06, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMELVIN HARPER With breaking hearts we announce the unexpected passing of Melvin John Harper on Friday, February 6, 2015 at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB. Melvin will be sadly missed, lovingly remembered and never forgotten by his loving son David Harper, grandchildren Chloe and Mitchell and family, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Helen Harper (nee Petrie) ,and his parents John James Harper, a carpenter born in Ireland, and his mother Margaret Edith Harper (nee Morrow) born in Mille Isles, Quebec. Mel was born in Winnipeg on May 20, 1929 and grew up on Spruce Street. He lived in East Kildonan in a house he shaped as his own. Mel devoted his 43 working years to the Greater Winnipeg Gas Company, later called Centra Gas and Manitoba Hydro. He was a dedicated Khartum Shriner, participating in many Shrine Circuses marching in the Oriental Band. In 1961, Mel and Helen and some city neighbours set out on an outdoor adventure in cottage country. He bought lot 10 in section A on Rush Bay, Lake of the Woods, Ontario and over the next 50 years that became his labour of love, his masterpiece of wood, concrete and a hand built dock on the lake. He toiled with enduring support of his wife Helen, son David, many friends and cottage neighbours. His inspiration was for so many to participate in the cottage and the enjoyment of his passions, like fishing and boating. Many a winter he left both footprints and snow machine tracks in the white powdery snow and raked weeds on the beach, cut grass and collected wood for heat and afternoon snoozes by the wood stove. Mel was a fair and giving man, he helped others where he could lend a hand with your furnace problem or stopping on the side of the Trans Canada Highway at forty below to assist with car trouble. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home with reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Canada through: www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 10, 2015
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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I was neighbour to Mr. & Mrs. Harper back in the 70's an 80's and grew up with their son David. They were lovely people. For David: Know that your dad is now with your mom again and they are together forever. - Posted by: Lisa MacIntyre (Neighbour) on: Feb 11, 2015
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I am one of Mel's brothers-in-law and have known Mel since the early 50's when he met and married my sister Helen. Mel was a humble, hardworking person, always ready to give information or provide assistance to anyone in the family. He was a "jack of all trades" and always had a project underway, either at the lake or at his home in Winnipeg, which he pursued with great passion and attention to detail. Ed (Ted) Petrie, Calgary, AB - Posted by: Edward (Ted) Petrie (Brother in law) on: Feb 10, 2015
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I grew up across the street from Mel's sister Lil, on Banning Street. Because I had no family in Winnipeg, his mom and dad were my Grandma & Grandpa Harper and he was my Uncle Mel. I have fond memories of picnics with Mel, Helen and David, and later worked near Helen and kept up on news. I am currently in Texas with Mel's niece Debbie and our husbands and I can assure you we will toast Mel as we cannot join the family to remember him. - Posted by: Isabel Peterson nee Morton (Friend of family) on: Feb 10, 2015
