LAWRENCE GERALD HARGREAVES

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LAWRENCE GERALD HARGREAVES July 6, 1926 - July 9, 2005 Beloved husband of Marlyne. A happy family gathering at home ended sadly with the sudden death of Lawrence. Left to cherish his memory are Marlyne, daughter Lori in Vancouver, son Darron and Janine in Winnipeg. Lawrence was raised on the family farm in the Brandon Hills under the stern eye of his father Aaron and loving eye of his mother Marion. Lawrence and Marlyne (Whyte) were married in Oak Lake in 1957. He was proud of his family and closely followed the careers of his children. He eagerly looked forward to news from Lori, a teacher at the University of British Columbia who has been working in Qatar, Darron, a journalist in Tokyo and Janine, an employment service adviser for the Province of Manitoba. Lawrence attended Brandon Collegiate Institute and also studied one year at Brandon College. Following an apprenticeship under Jack Gilchrist at Gilchrist Drug Store in Rivers, he entered the School of Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba. Upon graduation in 1952 he came to Neepawa to work for CNR Still. One year later he and his brother Stewart purchased what became known as Hargreaves Drug Store. Lawrence took great pride in his profession and his business. He ran the store for 38 years, during which time he was active on the council of the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association and a member of the Pharmaceutical Examining Board of Canada. In 1993 he was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia, presented annually to one pharmacist in each province for community service. Intensely devoted to the community, Lawrence helped revitalize a stagnating Chamber of Commerce in the early 1960s and was director of the Beautiful Plains Agricultural Society for seven years. He was a chairman and key fundraiser for the Neepawa and Area Development Corporation, Committee Chairman of the Main Street Manitoba program and a founding member of the Margaret Laurence Home. He also served on the Library Board, the board of the Neepawa Golf Club and was a Rotarian for 50 years. When Lawrence had free time, he would take full advantage. In the winter months he hooked up with The Boys for out-of-town bonspiels and in the summer he would tee it up with his pals on their annual tour of some of Manitoba's most challenging golf courses. The lads thoroughly enjoyed themselves on these trips and Lawrence would return home to boast of his accomplishments. He also relished relaxing at the cabin at Kerr Lake and toiling on his hobby farm near Polonia. Over the years he and Marlyne enjoyed many trips, especially those with pharmacy friends and partners. He was an avid reader and loved to memorize poetry. He will be remembered by many for his unique sense of humour. Lawrence was predeceased by his parents, Aaron and Marion; his brothers, Harleigh, Bill and Stewart; sister-in-law Jean (Don) and brother-in-law Robert Collie. He will be remembered by his sister Lauraine Collie of San Diego/Brandon, brother Don and special friend Ruth Martin of Souris, sisters-in-law, Pearl (Harleigh) and Florence (Bill), Donna and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life was held for Lawrence July 13 at the Neepawa United Church with Rev. George Cargo officiating. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation Inc. White's Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 24, 2005