J. O. JACK HARRIS

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J. O. "JACK" HARRIS After a lengthy illness, John Omar Harris passed away peacefully on December 13, 1999. Jack leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Elinor, daughters, Arline (Ben) Hughes, Ruth Matthews, Marilyn (Brian) Forbes, Barbara (Brian) Sloik; and his son Errol (Donna) also, Dads brother Bill and sister Lois Hopkinson; as well as 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews are also remembering him. Dad was predeceased by his parents and his foster daughter Bernice (Joe) Vass. Jack was born in Estevan, SK, on April 7, 1917 and was raised in Winnipeg. He had over the course of his life lived in many places including Toronto, Portage La Prairie, Vancouver, White Rock and Mayo (Yukon) to name a few. In the early years, Dad was a teacher and lay minister with the Womens Missionary Society of the United Church and later as an administrator with the Federal Department of Indian Affairs. He was a hospital administrator for a time but his real vocation was that of a salesman. He loved to sell and was extremely successful as a salesman and manager in the automobile business. In his retirement years, Dad became Santa Claus and he and Mom (Mrs. Claus) loved to meet with the little children at malls and at private Christmas parties. Wherever he lived Dad was involved in the community and with the service clubs. He was a Rotarian and Shriner for well over 40 years. He was awarded the Paul Harris International Fellowship award for his contribution to Rotary and he promoted the Shriners Burn Fund to many school administrators. In 1967, he was presented with the Centennial Medal "In Recognition of Valuable Service to the Nation." As a young man, Dad was a marvellous athlete. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and curling and was as active as he could be until his illness took over. Dad was a man who was full of life and enjoyed everything he did. He will be missed greatly by all he loved and who loved him. We thank the staff of Oakview Extendicare for their support and kindness shown Jack. A Service of Remembrance will be held on Wednesday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m. in the Leatherdale Gardiner Funeral Chapel, 1858 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shriners Burn Fund, 529 Wellington Cres., Winnipeg, MB R3M 0A5 or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. LEATHERDALE GARDINER 1858 Portage Avenue 949-4872

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 15, 1999