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HAROLD ROSS MACIVER
Harold’s father was a padre/minister for the Canadian Air Force base in Winnipeg. Reverend Allister Ross MacIver was his father, so Harold was a preacher’s son which came with high expectations for Harold.
Harold was born in New Brunswick in 1937. From New Brunswick they moved to Nova Scotia. Harold also spent time in Quebec where he stayed at a house which was on a ski hill, I think it was a vacation home. Harold learned to ski at this house. He also mentioned the pilots used to stay at this house so they could go skiing. Harold wanted to become a pilot so when they let him tag along on the ski hill, he tried his best to keep up.
Harold was in awe of the air force pilots that stayed with them. He said he was just trying to keep up and as a result became a good skier. From there the family moved to Edmonton where they spent a few years. The next move was either France or Winnipeg Manitoba, of course they chose Winnipeg. Once in Winnipeg Harold joined the Winnipeg ski club to continue his skiing adventure.
He joined the Winnipeg flying club to become a pilot and joined the Winnipeg winter club. Through these groups Harold met some life-long friends. Once high school was finished the pilot dream did not work out. He then went to live with a relative that was an executive with shell oil. That is how Harold ended up living the dream in Trinidad. From what I heard going to fancy parties and living the beach life. After about a year of beach life and parties Harold returned to Winnipeg. Harold lived in St. James and lived with a few single guys. They had parties at their house, and they invited people from all over Winnipeg. Somehow my mother ended up at one of the parties. My dad introduced himself and said “hi, I am Harold from Trinadad.” That is how my mom met my dad.
Harold met Lilian Balharry married and had one child. Harold worked at the city of Winnipeg parks and recreation department. He then moved to the department of government services. For a lot of his career, he spent time working up north in the northern communities and reserves.
Harold enjoyed hunting, fishing and the beautiful lakes. Harold respected the northern communities and the people and places he got to experience. Outside of work Harold enjoyed his cabin at lake of the woods and his house in Oakbluff. Harold had four husky sled dogs named Tuk, Tasma, Yuri and Ootik. Once Harold retired, he had a stroke in 2010 and ended up at Golden West Nursing Home where Harold has spent the last 15 years. Harold enjoyed his time at Golden West Nursing Home. His cat Holly would visit with Harold and sit on his lap as he wheeled around the nursing home.
Thanks to all the staff who have helped Harold and got to experience the special blue eyes of his. Thanks to all the family and friends who visited in the last 15 years.
Harold truly enjoyed his time at the nursing home; he even got COVID and survived. Just before Harold passed away, we went to a concert at the nursing home where two young girls were singing opera. The girls were students at University of Manitoba School of Music and Harold was impressed.
Harold's wife Lilian MacIver passed in 2015. He is survived by one daughter Wendy MacIver.
Thanks to all from his daughter Wendy Maciver.
There will be no funeral service Harold will be buried at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue.
Condolences can be made by donating to the Winnipeg Humane Society or Golden West Nursing Home in Harold's memory.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 29, 2025
