WILLIAM NELSON HARVEY

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WILLIAM NELSON HARVEY It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce the passing of W. Nelson Harvey. He leaves to mourn his passing, his beloved daughter Glennis Joy Wilson (Don) his cherished friend and companion Jean Klascz; his grandchildren, Michael Wilson (Ruth), Kevin Wilson and special friend Rose, Erinn and Bradley Harvey; great-grandchildren, Jesse, Rebekah, Hannah, Daren, Samantha and Jennifer will sorely miss their "Grandpa Great" as will his extended family; daughter-in-law Suzanne Gette and her son Serge. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Joy; son Garry and his sister Muriel. He is survived by his sisters, Evelyn Blackman (Larry) in Edmonton, AB and Mabel Carr in Neepawa, MB. Nelson was born William Nelson Harvey in 1907 in Nelson, BC. After brief stops in various parts of BC and AB, he and his parents arrived in MB and settled in the Dauphin / Ochre River area. In 1923, Nelson acquired his teaching certificate and taught school in the Ochre River area and in Morris, MB. During this period he met and married his much beloved wife Joy and began to raise a family. In 1936 Nelson looked farther afield and was accepted for employment in the Postal Service where he worked for two years before joining the Meteorological Service as a weather observer. It was then that he was introduced to the rapidly expanding world of aviation. He successfully applied for a job as an Air Traffic Controller in 1940 and was assigned to Winnipeg Control Tower. During 36 years in Air Traffic Control, he progressed through the ranks to become the Regional Director of Air Traffic Services in the Central Region which extended from East of Thunder Bay, ON to the SK / AB border. His approach to streamlining the traffic control system was both innovative and proactive and he will long be remembered as a fair and compassionate administrator. In recognition of his contribution to aviation, he was recently designated a "Pioneer of Aviation" by the Western Canada Aviation Museum. For many years Nelsons interest in photography occupied much of his spare time. He was a long time member of the Manitoba Camera Club. He was the recipient of many awards for excellence in photographic competitions and was much sought after for weddings and portraits. In addition to all of the above he somehow found time to travel extensively in North America, Europe and Hawaii. After retiring he wintered in Weslaco, Texas for six months of the year and during the summer at home he travelled in his motor home with his friend Jean and the Wandering Wheels Trailer Club. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and volunteers at the Grace Hospital Hospice. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace Hospital Hospice, 300 Booth Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9 or charity of ones choice. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Nelsons life will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4000 Portage Ave. An interment and reception will follow. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 30, 2004