WILLIAM GEORGE HARRISON

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WILLIAM (BILL) GEORGE HARRISON March 11, 1931 - September 1, 2016 The family of Bill Harrison are saddened to announce his passing on September 1, 2016. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Wilma; his children, Susan (Gord), Gail, Tanis (Grant), Bill (Michelle) and David (Natalie); grandchildren, Cheryl (Tom), Amaris (Jason), Samara (Logan), Harrison (Cara), Greg (Ashleigh), Teri (Zach), Devin (Kristina), Sean, Derek, Brock, Tanner, Teigan, Zach and Josh; great-grandchildren, Makenna, Leo, Hudson and Calder. He was predeceased by his parents (Mina and Cecil), his brother Jack (2001) and daughter-in-law Sue (2004). Bill was blessed with a long life, filled with much love and success. He was born in Grandview Manitoba, growing up in the family grocery business, he was an entrepreneur from the start. Bill excelled in school but he really loved working and creating opportunities for those around him. He lost his father when he was a teenager and that prompted him to take his skills learned in the family business and the skills learned working for the local paper and move to a new community where there were many new opportunities! Atikokan, Ontario was where he landed and promptly got in there and made a deal with the new mine that if he started a printing press, would they contract their work to him. He was a partner in what was the start of the Atikokan Progress. While in Atikokan, the love of his life caught his eye, and he knew he had to do whatever it took, to catch her eye. And so he did! Bill was never one to take too long to make a decision and when Wilma left to go back to school in Winnipeg, Bill sold the business and moved to Winnipeg to be closer to Wilma. In December of 1952, Bill and Wilma eloped and went home on the train to let the family know. Through trial and error, perseverance and hard work, Bill and Wilma enjoyed moving back to Atikokan and working with Wilma's parents in restaurant business. The fifties brought the girls into the world (Susan, Gail and Tanis) and the sixties brought the boys into the world (Bill and Dave). It also brought more opportunities and a move to Thompson Manitoba, another new mining town with plenty of opportunity. They did not sit still, between managing two restaurants in different provinces, they also expanded their business interests to include an A&W drive-in, a children's clothing store, a Camera Center, Gondola Pizza and a Cabaret. Dad always believed in having the right person in the right place and working to make them so. When he retired from Thompson, he moved into Winnipeg and developed Baaco Pizza in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Bill also spent many years on the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation Board, representing the north. Bill's business interests were also great training grounds for family. Bill and Wilma never really did retire, they just started a new chapter every now and again. His early years in Atikokan and Wilma's family, provided the opportunity to create a legacy of love for Lake of the Woods and Northwestern Ontario. The cottages on Coney Island not only brought great joy and fun, it brought all those kids back and the wonderful little grandchildren that made it all so worthwhile. Friends and extended family was all bonus too! Bill and Wilma so enjoyed the summers, they also created the opportunities for family and friends to get together in the winter at their beautiful home in Sebring, Florida. Bill survived a massive heart attack in 2000 and that too started a new chapter. Being in good health and doing whatever it takes, gave us another 16 years with dad, although we struggled with the onset of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in his last few years. His greatest joys were seeing how the seeds planted so long ago provided him much entertainment. He loved to see how his daughters grew up to be strong independent women, creating opportunities and making things work, and he was so proud of the business his sons built, and how they used his knowledge and grew form there. Two places he absolutely loved to be, the first, in the presence of our mom, and for whom his love knew no bounds, and the second was at the lake, surrounded with his family and friends. Dad was an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a member of AOTS (Windsor Park United Church), a builder and supporter of Northern Manitoba, strong members of Windsor Park United Church and an absolutely great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. We will miss dad, but it gives us comfort knowing that his spirit will live on and that we may feel his presence and know he is nearby. The family would like to thank the Seine River Retirement Residence and Meadowood Manor Personal Care Home for their love and caring. Also the medical community for their caring and expertise with notable mention of Dr. Kevin Coates and Dr. Douglas Hobson. In lieu of flowers, a donation to remember Bill may be made to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation or the Parkinson's Society. A celebration of Bill's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2016