HARRY F. BURNS

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HARRY F. BURNS November 4, 1917 - January 13, 2005 It is with deep sadness the family announces the peaceful passing of Harry on January 13, 2005, at the Victoria Hospital at the age of 87 years. He leaves to mourn his loving wife Eunice, of 63 years; sons, Gary (Cheryl), Jim (Pat), Randy (Marie); grandchildren, Colleen (Frank), Tami (Todd), Robert, Kristian and Kevin; great-grandchildren, Krysta, Joshua, Dominique and Chantal; as well as nieces and nephews. Harry was predeceased by his parents Jim and Dianne; his brother Bob; and his sister Dorothy Mason; brother-in-law Tommy Thompson; in-laws, Alice and Pop Thompson. Harry's first engineering job was in 1950 in the department of the City of Winnipeg from which he advanced to City Traffic Engineer. Three years later, he left the City to work with a consulting firm in Toronto. In 1961 he returned to Winnipeg as deputy Director of Streets and Transit in the newly formed Metropolitan Winnipeg Government. In 1971, the formation of a completely amalgamated new City of Winnipeg, Harry became Director of Streets and Transportation from which he retired at 63 in January of 1981. Harry was born in Winnipeg in 1917, attending elementary school and high school there and received his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 1950. Before commencing university in 1946, he served four years with the Canadian Navy from 1941 to 1945, mostly in Corvettes on the North Atlantic convoy service. Previous to that, he worked at the C.P.R. Weston shops. Harry was a member of many professional societies including the Canadian Good Roads Assoc. and the Canadian Urban Transit Assoc. He was very active in local and district International Traffic Engineers activities. He helped develop the Canadian manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and was the technical editor for that original edition. Harry has received many distinguished service awards in recognition of his extraordinary service in the field of transportation engineering. Harry was a quiet, unassuming gentleman with an extraordinary wit. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He always had a story or joke to tell. Harry was an ardent golfer and curler at the Niakwa Golf and Granite Curling Clubs. Harry and Eunice enjoyed these games together. They spent their retirement years travelling extensively, and at their cottage near Lake of the Woods in Northwestern Ontario which was their paradise which they enjoyed for many years with their family. The family would like to extend a very special thanks to Dr. Czarnecki and Janice Samimi for their unfailing care, private time and compassion that they gave to Harry and Eunice. Also a thanks to the loyal care workers for their devout care and conscientious concerns. We will greatly miss our husband, father and grandfather, miss his optimism and love and care he had for us. Cremation has taken place. In keeping with Harry's wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society at 5 Kent St., or the Heart Stroke Foundation. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2005