Obituaries

JOHN HAROLD HARRISAugust 13, 1932 – July 29, 2016
   It is with heavy hearts we announce that John Harris of Winnipeg passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2016 at the age of 83 years.   Left to lovingly cherish John’s memory are his sons Robert (Vanessa), Michael, and John (Maggie); grandchildren Hayley, Brendan, Pierce, Christopher, Hanna, Brooke, Presley, Bennett and Sienna; great-granddaughter Layla; brother Philip (Sheila); sisters Yvonne (Gerry) and Simone. He will also be fondly remembered by his extended circle of family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Nelly; and in 2010, by his beloved wife Joan.   Born in Winnipeg, John was the eldest of four children. He attended Lord Roberts, Kelvin High School, and the University of Manitoba (BA 1958). He worked at the CBC, from 1955 until his retirement in 1991, as Painter, Scenic Artist, Set Designer, Design Director, first and second Assistant Director, and Production Assistant. He also worked as an award-winning Set Designer on several productions for the Cercle Molière, the Herzlia Academy, the University of Manitoba, Rainbow Stage, and MTC. In 1975 he was seconded for three months to UNESCO from the CBC to teach a Design and Staging course at the Asian Institute of Broadcasting and Development in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was also a member of CUPE, IATSE and ACTRA.   On August 16, 1958 he married the love of his life, Joan Cariou. They moved to Riverview where they raised their three boys. A wonderful father, not just to his own boys, but to his many nieces, nephews and neighborhood kids, he would spend hours drawing cartoons by request on t-shirts, doing Halloween make-up for little ghosts and goblins, putting on puppet shows, and enchanting his grandchildren with “stories from his head.” His artistic talents were prodigious: actor (Rainbow Stage, MTC), puppeteer (the “Lollipop Puppets,” with Len Andree), cartoonist, painter, court sketcher, and caricaturist. He never turned down a request to do one of his inimitable caricatures for a friend’s retirement or a family member’s birthday. He also did a mean Jimmy Durante (“The Lost Chord,” “Chidabee”).   Renowned for their hospitality, John and Joan hosted innumerable gatherings, from legendary bridge games, annual Christmas tree trimming celebrations, to Christmas brunches with the Williams and other close friends and family. For many years John and his family enjoyed spending time at the Williams’ cottage in Minaki where the gang would swim, canoe, play cards, read, and enjoy the long summer days. That tradition gradually morphed into an annual Canada Day celebration enjoyed by all.   An inveterate storyteller, John was always the life of the party, with a seemingly never-ending supply of jokes: some gems, some groaners. He had, just like Joan, the enviable knack of making even his newest acquaintance feel like his oldest friend. He loved get-togethers with family and friends and would always be the one to snap pictures and have them printed and delivered the very next day. John and Joan loved travelling and over the years visited Spain, Malaysia and the UK, and went on many trips to the US to see brother-in-law Len appear in a wide variety of plays on and off-Broadway.   John will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life and Interment have already taken place.   Thank you to all those at Harmony Court and Pembina Place Personal Care Home who cared for John in his final years. On behalf of our family, we are deeply touched by all the love and support shown by so many on social media and in the flesh. We also sincerely appreciate hearing all of your stories. They’ve both moved and humored us, and we thank each and every one of you for taking the time to help us celebrate and honor our Dad’s life.   In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba 10 – 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4G2 (alzheimer.mb.ca).   Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com