- Winnipeg Free Press Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
HAROLD (HAL) STUDHOLME
Born: Nov 15, 1938
Date of Passing: Mar 31, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryHAROLD (HAL) STUDHOLME
Hal died on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. Hal was born on November 15, 1938, and was 85 years old.
Anyone who knows him will appreciate he has left his own parting thoughts and words.
“This isn’t done too often, but it’s my farewell shot, so bear with me. In fact, I have rewritten it several times. All in all, I’ve had a pretty good run at life. There are not any guarantees on tenure. Yet, I’ve been blessed in so many ways. My parents, Norman and Pearl, and big brother Bill gave me a good start in life most importantly signing me up at age eight at the YMCA. As a member for over 70 years and professional staff for 28 in the Winnipeg Association, the Y has always been a major part of my life, especially Camp Stephens and before that, Camp Norval and the old Toronto West End YMCA. Other career stops included The University of Manitoba Recreation Studies program, The Society for Manitoban’s with Disabilities and Age and Opportunity, they were equally rewarding. Helping small social agencies in my brief consulting career was a gratifying way to close things out. Retirement brought years of enjoyment in Square and Round dancing and many hours serving at St. Alphonsus Church, and stabs at painting, furniture crafting, cartooning (apologies to those who were the brunt of my, so-called whit) and writing. I also returned to the Y as a part time desk clerk and loved being back in the old Downtown Y, seeing some of my old friends and making new ones. The young staff were very kind and listened to my stories of the good old days with patience and generosity. The two years I spent there were a grand experience. I must have done something right in those Y years as they awarded me with the treasured Fellowship of Honor in recognition of my work and service.
For 31 years I shared the wonderful love, support and friendship with my first wife Josie who died in 1996 of Cancer. I later married Marilyn who was my partner and friend who passed in 2022 of Dementia. I thank God for every wonderful moment I shared with these two amazing women. They were truly a blessing.
A final goodbye and thank you to my beloved daughters, Lesley and husband Vic, Donna, Nancy and husband Gary, Terri and husband Bruce; and much cherished grandchildren, Jennifer, Allison, Michael, Sara, Hilary, Wyatt, Dylan and Shaye and great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Emily, Amy, Jacob and Ozzy.
To Marilyn’s family, son Mike and his daughter Athena, daughter Maureen and her children, Shalin, Alisha and Arya thank you for accepting me into your lives. And a special note to Lori and her son Stewart, Sandeep and the Niddery families.
A final goodbye to my Y and Camp gang for their treasured friendship. To family, friends, and colleagues who made my life meaningful and rewarding my thanks to you as well. They know who they are.
ADIEU
So, it has come to this, at last.
The journey I take on my own,
To light and a new life;
I hold that firm belief.
So, I leave you these ancient words,
The watchwords of my quest:
This is what God asks of you:
To love tenderly, To act justly
And to walk humble with your God” (Michah 6:8)
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, a gathering at the St. Alphonsus Church Hall, 241 Munroe Ave. at 12:00 noon welcomes friends of Hal to come and share stories, pictures and memories. Please feel free to share by leaving a picture, note or card about your memories or stories about Hal that will be put together in a book for the family. Those wishing to share memories with those attending will be given the opportunity to speak. The Hall is best accessed off Donalda Avenue from the church parking lot.
For those who would like to attend Mass it will take place Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., St Alphonsus Church, 315 Munroe Ave. Winnipeg.
No flowers please. For those who wish, donations to YMCA/YWCA Camp Stephens in the Campership fund, so children can experience the life changing joy of camp or donations to the future of the Island Camp with donations to the Stepping Stone Project.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2024, May 11, 2024
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
-
...he was like a big brother to me when I became a leader at Camp Norval. Our friendship was deep, and I appreciated having him as a friend. I have many memories of those "good old days" and still, like many, cherish those times as being some of the best of my life. Thank you for the things you did to enrich my life and for your work and witness. BM+ - Posted by: Brother Mark [John A McIntosh] (A past member of CAMP NORVAL Staff 1957 to 1962.) on: Sep 21, 2025
-
Dear cousins Terri, Leslie, Nancy and Donna, please accept my condolences. I have fond memories of your mum and Uncle Hal visiting our family when I was a child and in later years Hal visiting with my parents and siblings/spouses when he came to Toronto. I appreciated his sharp memory, story writing and gift of gab. How Uncle Hal -to prepare his last words and for a man of faith to pass on Easter Sunday. R.I.P. Hal! Molly Whelan Goodish - Posted by: Molly Goodish (Neice) on: Jul 19, 2024
-
I came to know Hal after we both retired through the Canadian Fellowship of Y Retirees that became the Canadian Y Alumni. Our thoughts, approaches aligned and we chatted or emailed regularly. Hal had a wonderful gift of sharing through writing as a a frequent contribution to Tielines, our newsletter. He served on our history project committee. Even late in our lives, our wonderful connection made us "soulmates". I will truly miss him. He was a friend and wonderful colleague. To Hal's entire family, I extend my sincerest condolences. Hal, my dear friend, Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Franco Savoia (Friend and colleague) on: May 17, 2024
-
Condolences to family and many friends. We were sorry to hear of Hal's passing. We got to know Hal at the EK YMCA. Many good years as Hal guided many youth through the various programs at the "Y". Hal, you will be missed. - Posted by: Clyde & Glenda Marcus (Former leader at the Elmwood Kildonan YMCA) on: May 13, 2024
-
My sincere condolences to Hal’s family. I met Hal as a teenager at the old St. James Y. We stayed in contact over the years. In later years we went back to Camp Stephens for alumni presentations to camp staff. I’ll miss his joy and vigour at leading us through old camp songs in the dining hall, and reminding us all of the importance of “I’m Third.” - Posted by: Bruce Owen (Camp colleague ) on: May 12, 2024
-
I met Nancy in my grade 2 class at Angus Mckay. I believe that this was shortly after the marriage of Hal to her mom Josie.. but after the birth of Terri. My parents often said that knew that they were the first to register a family membership from the EK YMCA from the two of them! I felt that definately solidified our friendship!! Not only that we lived two streets apart...her Linden Ave..me Greene Ave...and we both even shared #24. Hal was always so lovely and patient with the streams of friends parading through his home. And the fact he could play banjo... made him that much more fun! The memory of pinball in the basement and cool trips to the lake...kinda made him a cool parent. Thank you so much for good memories Hal...you will be missed.❤ - Posted by: Cathy Steel Hunzinger (Nancy's BFF) on: May 12, 2024
-
Teri, Bruce and family I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father/father in law. I loved to hear stories of his involvement in Camp Stevens and to see his grandchildren following in his footsteps and love for this special place. Teri you are in my thoughts and prayers. Share your stories and your memories of your Dad he will be in your heart forever. Barbara. - Posted by: Barbara (Maughan) Verschoore (Family friend) on: May 11, 2024