Gerald HARPER

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HARPER: Gerald Ronald Harper passed away at the age of 91 on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. Gerald was born in Dauphin, Manitoba. He was predeceased by Joyce his wife of 66 years. He is survived by his six children Hugh (Janet) Harper, Dawn (Don) Curtis, Ron (Jan) Harper, Dale (Anne) Harper, Joy (Marty) Gove and Michele (Kelly) Pettinger as well as 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Glenn Harper, sisters Verla Evans and Dawn Dixon and his brother-in -law Norman Shineton. Dad grew up in McCreary, Manitoba and at the age of 16 joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. At the young age of 17 he served in the Second World War and participated in air campaigns in Italy and North Africa as a Wireless Air Gunner. Upon returning from the war he met and married the love of his life Joyce McCaffrey. After gaining a diploma in agriculture he returned to McCreary where he began a farming career which lasted about 10 years. The following years were spent with Veterans Land Act and Farm Credit Corporation in Dauphin, Roblin and Brandon where he retired as District Supervisor. Dad excelled in almost every sport that he participated in: baseball, curling, tennis, shuffling, ping-pong, hockey, golf, billiards, fishing and hunting. Mom and Dad instilled the love of cards and board games in all of their kids which endures to this day. Many of their lasting friendships began around the social and duplicate bridge tables in both Manitoba and Arizona. Dad will long be remembered for his love of family, his competitive spirit, his extreme generosity and his appreciation for every kindness shown to him. He never hung up his phone without saying "thank you very much for calling". Dad is now dancing in heaven with Mom. Our family would like to express our thanks to the staff at the Brandon Regional Health Centre who helped make his last three months as comfortable as possible. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, Unit 4B-457 - 9th Street Brandon, MB, R7A 4A9.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 11, 2017