JOHN CLIFFORD

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JOHN CLIFFORD "CLIFF" BAGRIE B.Sc. (Pharm) On Sunday, April 23, 2000 at the Portage District General Hospital, Portage la Prairie, John Clifford Bagrie, dearly beloved husband of Doreen of Portage la Prairie, passed away at the age of 72 years. A Service to Celebrate Cliffs life was held on Wednesday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper St., S., Portage la Prairie, with Rev. Julie Baker officiating. Rev. Murray Thompson read the scripture reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Brian Pallister sang "Circle" with Derek Grantham accompanying him on guitar. The Seniors Choir sang "On Eagles Wings". Audrey MacFarlane presided at the organ for the congregational hymns "I Danced In The Morning" and "The Lord Is My Shepherd". The Assiniboine Lodge conducted the Masonic Funeral Service which included the hymn "O God, Our Help In Ages Past". The recessional was piped by Zane Matiation. The family considered all Cliffs friends and associates in attendance as honorary pallbearers. The pallbearers were Roger Barrett, Peter Dewis, Bob Drain, Henry Falk, Gordon Pankhurst and Gerry Wilson. Interment followed at the family plot at Hillside Cemetery, Portage where Zane Matiation once again paid tribute to Cliff by playing the bag pipes. Cliff leaves to mourn his passing and to cherish his loving memory besides his loving wife Doreen, their family, Barbara and son-in-law Barry Wilde and grandsons, Tyler and Blaine, all of Calgary, AB; Byrna and son-in-law Kelly McDermid and granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Chelsea, all of Portage la Prairie; and son John and daughter-in-law Connie Bagrie and grandchildren, Kyle and Amy, all of Winnipeg. He is also survived by one sister Margaret and brother-in-law Murray Thompson of Burnaby, BC; sister-in-law Clare and husband John Atkins of Winnipeg; several nieces, nephews and a host of dear friends. Cliff was predeceased by his parents, John and Williamina Bagrie. He was born on February 28, 1928 at Kemnay, MB, attended school there, later graduating from Portage Collegiate. He then attended the University of Manitoba, School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1949. In 1952 he married Doreen Bourgeois and since lived his entire life in Portage where he became well known as a prominent businessman and community builder. His career spanned 40 years with Hills Drug Stores as a pharmacist, partner and owner/manager retiring in December of 1989. In 1990, he was presented the A.H. Robbins Bowl of Hygeia Award for outstanding community service in pharmacy and in 1999 received the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association 50 year membership. Amongst his many community involvements, Cliff served as secretary for the Portage Golf Club commencing in the early 1950s, served as a Trustee of the Portage School Division for three terms, two terms as an Alderman for the city of Portage la Prairie and served as a Director of the Central Plains Regional Development Corporation. Cliff was a founding member of the Portage and District Foundation Incorporated and had served as a Board Member of Southport Aerospace from 1991 to 1995. Cliff was a Past Master of the Assiniboine Masonic Lodge No. 7, a member of the Keystone Chapter Royal Arch Masons and member of Electa Chapter No. 2 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a Past President of the Portage Rotary Club, Past President and Honorary Life Member of Portage Curling Club and an Honorary Life Member of the Manitoba Curling Club. In 1983-84 he was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award from the Portage Curling Club. Cliff co-chaired the 1986 Canadian Seniors Curling Playdowns as well as co-chairing the 1990 Uniroyal Goodrich World Junior Curling Championships. He served as an advisor for the Junior Achievement Program and received an appreciation award from the 5th Portage Scouts and Clubs in 1980. In 1986, Cliff was named Business Person of the Year by the Portage Chamber of Commerce and in 1992 received a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada from the Governor General. Cliff also served his community as Chairman of the Portage Plains United Way Appeal in 1988, volunteered with the Service for Seniors as well as being a willing volunteer with the Meals on Wheels Program. He co-chaired two Portage Collegiate Institute Reunions, one being the Centennial Reunion. Cliff will also be remembered by many, as a result of his long association with both the Provincial and Federal Progressive Conservative Party. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cliffs memory to Portage & District Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3J9 or to a charity of your choice. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Cliff at Evergreen Memorial Gardens by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who were entrusted with the arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 27, 2000