HAROLD (HAL) GILBERT PULLIN -

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HAROLD (HAL) GILBERT PULLIN 1919 - 2005 Passed away peacefully at home July 21, 2005 at the age of 85. Hal will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 58 years Wilma (Willie); daughters, Judy (Dave) Morrison, Laurie (Greg) Carpenter and Valerie (Dale) Foster; his grandchildren, Scott (Paola) great-grandson Jacob, Christopher (Rachel), Owen, Stephan, Lydia, Ellen, Scott and Matthew Foster. Predeceased by his parents, Ada and Harry Pullin. Hal was born in Winnipeg on September 28, 1919. After he graduated from Kelvin High School his first job was delivering telegrams on a bicycle. The Second World War found him overseas with the RCAF stationed in London, England for three and a half years. On his return from overseas he was in sales for Maple Leaf Milling. In 1947 he joined Great West Life Assurance Co. Hal started as an agent, spent three years in Fargo, North Dakota as Branch Manager and then became Staff Benefits Supervisor in the Winnipeg Head Office. After 35 years of dedicated service he retired in 1982. Hal was a people person. He was happy dancing, curling, playing bridge, leading sing-songs and writing topical poems, often set to a popular tune, to suit special occasions. Everyone always expected Hal to have a joke or story to tell. Fort Rouge Curling Club was his second home (in the opinion of his wife Willie). Hal was an active curler for many years, President of FRCC in 1970-71, as well as being named an Honorary Life Member of FRCC in 1974; made an Honorary Life Member of the Manitoba Curling Association in 1993; Past President and Honorary Life Member of the Manitoba Curling Clubs Past-Presidents, and a Past President and Honorary Life Member of the Fort Rouge Seniors Recreation Club. The Cosmopolitan Club of Winnipeg also appreciated Hal's hard work and creativity with their fundraising efforts for many years. Hal's introduction to Minaki, ON was spending time at Pala Camp on Harbour Island before and after the war. In 1965 Willie and Hal bought Pullin's Palace in Minaki. It was a hive of activity for young and old - and the odd bear passing by. All Hal's grandchildren spent a happy time at the camp. On his retirement Hal was presented with a canoe by Great West Life staff members, which he and the grandkids loved. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life honouring Hal will be held on Wednesday, July 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. with words of remembrance taking place at 2:15 p.m at Canad Inn, 1824 Pembina Hwy. 261-7450. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Crohn's Colitis Foundation of Canada, 600-60 St. Clair Ave. East, Toronto, ON M4T 1N5 or a charity of your choice. Think where man's glory most begins and ends. and say my glory was I had such friends. W. B. Yeats

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 25, 2005