HARRY MCKENZIE BIDEN

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HARRY MCKENZIE BIDEN

Harry McKenzie Biden, born in October 1936 to Bert and Margaret of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2020, in North Vancouver, BC.
Harry was married to Gayle (née Watt) for 63 years, who predeceased him in June, 2020. Harry is lovingly remembered by his family of three children, Doug (Vivian) Biden of North Vancouver, BC, Dan (Alice) Biden of Calgary, AB, Dawn (Brad) Martin of Lethbridge, AB; his two granddaughters, Kim (Nick) Friedman and Nicole (Jordan) Williams; his four great-grandchildren, Colby, Amelia, Taya and Andrew. He is also survived by his two brothers, Len (Edna) Biden of Regina, SK and Stan (Hilda) Biden of Regina, SK; his sister-in-law Sharon Cameron of Edmonton, AB, and his brother-in-law John (Donna) Watt of Calgary, AB. He was also predeceased by his sister Jeannine and brother-in-law Edward (Gladys) Watt.
Harry joined Canadian Pacific Railway soon after graduating from high school. He had a fulfilling and distinguished 37 year career. He started as a junior clerk and rose through the ranks to various senior Marketing and Sales positions in Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg and Kamloops. Harry eventually retired as General Manager in Vancouver.
Harry loved working for CPR and was a natural in sales. He delighted in getting to know his fellow employees and customers and always had a smile, a laugh or a joke to share with them. Harry attended the Banff School of Business and used this knowledge to teach Sales Training across Canadian Pacific's network of sales employees. A career highlight was to facilitate the building of CP's first Western Canada forest products transload facility in Campbell Creek, BC. Even in retirement he would get together with fellow railway retirees on a regular basis.
After retiring from CP, Harry dedicated his time to St. James' Church and St. James' Community Service Society and various other charitable organizations. He helped by picking up clothes and other necessary articles and distributing them to various women's and homeless shelters in need.
Harry and Gayle enjoyed being members of the Vancouver Golf Club where he had fun playing golf with his buddies. He also played tennis and loved fishing. He curled for much of his life, playing in leagues and bonspiels and once led a team that scored an elusive "Eight Ender". He was a devoted Saskatchewan Roughrider fan and in the 1960s was known to load the family in the car and drive up to higher ground around Kamloops so that he would get a better radio reception to listen to the game!
Harry and Gayle travelled to many places throughout their lives, but the best memories were of camping with family at Christina Lake, BC for over 25 years. After retirement they spent the winter months enjoying life in sunny Mesa, AZ.
Harry loved getting together with his family, friends and neighbours, and with Gayle hosted many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Harry was a kind and warm hearted father and mentor who led an inspirational life.
A lasting image of Dad is of him driving around Stanley Park on a sunny afternoon in his Mustang convertible, with a smile on his face, taking in the beauty that surrounded him.
The family wishes to thank Amica Edgemont Village for all their tender care of Harry during the last four years.
Harry will be entombed at St. James' Anglican Church, Vancouver, BC.
Donations in Harry's honour may be made to The Bloom Group Community Services Society at www.thebloomgroup.org or Union Gospel Mission at ugm.ca, which were dear to him.

Walkey & Company Funeral Directors
604 738-0006

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 19, 2020