DR. HENRY ENNS

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DR. HENRY ENNS Doing what he loved best, Dr. Henry Enns passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 13, 2002, at the age of 59 years, while traveling on business in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Born May 29, 1943, to George and Anna Enns in Burwald, Ukraine, Henry is survived by his wife Dr. Olga Krassioukova; and son Dmitri of Winnipeg; mother Anna Enns of Steinbach, MB; brother George Enns (Joyce) of Saskatoon, SK; and sisters, Mary Unger (Earl) and Anne Froese (Eric) of Steinbach, Helen Rademaker (Bill), Nettie Strople (Mark) and Tina Greifenhagen (Rick) of Winnipeg, MB, and Linda Janzen (Ken) of Plum Coulee, MB; mother-in-law Kira Krassioukova of Winnipeg; brother-in-law Andrei Krassioukov of Toronto, ON; as well as many nieces and nephews who remember him best as "Uncle Hank." He was predeceased by a sister Anna in infancy and his father George in 1992. In addition to his family, Henry will be sadly missed by friends and work colleagues worldwide in the disability community, to whom he dedicated his life-work. Contracting rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 15, Henry did much to raise the profile of people with disabilities and worked endlessly on advancing the cause of disabled peoples rights locally, nationally and internationally, beginning with the Manitoba League of the Physically Handicapped (1976 to 1979), and as one of the founders of the Coalition of Provincial Organizations of the Handicapped. He initiated the first Independent Living Centre in Canada in Kitchener, ON, in 1982 and was a founding member of the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres in 1985. In 1980, Henry was instrumental in moving Disabled Peoples International headquarters from Stockholm, Sweden, to Winnipeg, serving as DPIs Deputy Chair, as Chairperson and more recently as Executive Director (1990 to 1995). At the time of his passing, Dr. Enns was Executive Director of the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies, a Winnipeg-based international disability studies and research centre which he had taken a leadership role in establishing in 1995. A visionary in the truest sense, Henry never saw barriers, but endless possibilities in all that he did. In 1988, he was recognized by the Canadian Government with a Citation for Citizenship, presented by the Canadian Secretary of State. In 1992, he received the Presidents Award for Humanitarian Service, the first non-American to be so honoured. Queens University (Kingston, ON) conferred him with an Honorary Doctor of Laws in 1992, followed in 1993 by a second Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Manitoba. Henrys love for his family, friends and work was superseded only by his love for his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His optimism, enthusiasm and genuine concern for others was grounded in a faith he lived out daily. The 23rd Psalm was a favourite of Henrys, and points to the source of his strength. In 1996, Henry married Olga and became a father to Dmitri, an event that truly enriched his life. In Olga, Henry was blessed not only with a loving wife but a best friend who shared his interest in and commitment to disability research and study. Henry had a lasting influence on Dmitri, teaching him the fundamentals of baseball and hockey; despite many travel commitments, he rarely missed his sons games or school activities. He loved them both dearly and they brought great joy into his life. Henry is remembered by his family as a loving husband, father, son and brother, an avid fisherman and games player ("whos up for a game of Rook?"), and a dear friend to many. To keep Henrys vision alive, donations can be made in his memory to either the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies Endowment Fund, 56 The Promenade, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 3H9 (204-287-8411) or the Mennonite Central Committee (designated for disability projects), 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg MB, R3T 5K9 (204-261-6381). Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 21 at 1:30 p.m. at Steinbach Mennonite Church, 345 Loewen Blvd., Steinbach, with a reception to follow. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Loewen Funeral Chapels Ltd, Steinbach. (204-326-1351).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 17, 2002