Obituary for John Harris
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Harris on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Seven Oaks Hospital. John was a much-loved father to Colleen (Brian) Harris, Randy (Karen) Harris, Eleanor (Harry) Fritschy, Sylvia (Cliff) Clement, Cindy (Henry) Suyker, Gwen (Bill) Van Dorp, Kathy (Doug) Gullickson, Reg (Marg) Harris, Monica Ablonczy (Del Nikoleychuk), and Karen (Jack) Halma.
He was a much loved grandfather to Kelsey (Kevin) Clelland, Brenley (Harold) Herdt, Phil (Amy) Harris, Andrea Harris, Tara Fritschy, Nikki (Scott) Walker, Michelle (Matt) Buckle, Melinda (Daniel) Gwozdzinski, Marissa Fritschy, Justine (Kellan) Shields, Ted Bakkum, Adam Van Dorp, Clint (Darcy) Van Dorp, Jolene Van Dorp, Erica (Tyler) Ray, Corinne Harris, Sam (Jenn) Harris, Kirsten Ablonczy, Tannis (Taylor) Sloane, Lindsay Ablonczy, Kristina (Jesse) Guerette, Courtney Halma, James (Leah) Halma, and Joel (Carina) Halma. In addition, he was blessed with 24 great-grandchildren.
John was predeceased by his siblings, Bill, Henry, Teenie, Mary, Nick, Margaret, Gertie, Jack and George (Joe). He was also predeceased by his first wife of 50 years Evelyn Ruth Harris (nee Dornbush).
Along with his own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John was loved and will be missed by his second wife of 15 years Trudy (nee Smith), and her children, Peggy (David) Loewen, Wendy (Ron) Kroeker, Karen (Brent) Hirst, Jeffry (Tracy) Erhardt and their families.
John Harris grew up on a farm near Stony Mountain, Manitoba. He left the farm at the age of 21 (1951), and was employed by Transcontinental Airlines for 3 years. Following that, he attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1954 Through 1958, obtaining an education degree.
John’s career in teaching spanned many years and four provinces. He began in Edmonton, teaching there from 1958 to 1960. From there, he moved on to teach and act as school principal at Calvin Christian School in Winnipeg, from 1960 to 1980. John then taught in Lethbridge from 1980 to 1984. From 1984 to 1986 he taught in Ottawa, and his final years of teaching, 1986 to 1990, were spent in Regina.
John was a dedicated teacher. Although he retired in 1990 from employment as a teacher, he still kept his hand in after retirement by spending 8 weeks in China teaching the English language to teachers there. Later on, he became involved in teaching English as a second language to immigrants.
John enjoyed travelling to visit family, especially after retirement. He and Evelyn regularly drove to Ottawa, Lethbridge and Duncan to visit with children and grandchildren. As he aged, the trips became less frequent, then stopped, but his devotion to family remained. He was always glad to hear how various children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing, and what they were up to. This interest and affection expanded to include Trudy and her family when he married her.
John’s faith was a big part of his life. His devotion to God and walking in the ways of the Lord were of utmost importance and formed all of his actions and way of life.
He provided all of his children with a Christian education as well as being a Christian educator himself. He is now with the Lord, as he wished.
A memorial service for John will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 653 Knowles Ave., Winnipeg. A private family interment will take place prior to the memorial service.
The Service will be livestreamed, and available at:
http://covenantcrc.ca/
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Calvin Christian School Supplementary Fund.
He was a much loved grandfather to Kelsey (Kevin) Clelland, Brenley (Harold) Herdt, Phil (Amy) Harris, Andrea Harris, Tara Fritschy, Nikki (Scott) Walker, Michelle (Matt) Buckle, Melinda (Daniel) Gwozdzinski, Marissa Fritschy, Justine (Kellan) Shields, Ted Bakkum, Adam Van Dorp, Clint (Darcy) Van Dorp, Jolene Van Dorp, Erica (Tyler) Ray, Corinne Harris, Sam (Jenn) Harris, Kirsten Ablonczy, Tannis (Taylor) Sloane, Lindsay Ablonczy, Kristina (Jesse) Guerette, Courtney Halma, James (Leah) Halma, and Joel (Carina) Halma. In addition, he was blessed with 24 great-grandchildren.
John was predeceased by his siblings, Bill, Henry, Teenie, Mary, Nick, Margaret, Gertie, Jack and George (Joe). He was also predeceased by his first wife of 50 years Evelyn Ruth Harris (nee Dornbush).
Along with his own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John was loved and will be missed by his second wife of 15 years Trudy (nee Smith), and her children, Peggy (David) Loewen, Wendy (Ron) Kroeker, Karen (Brent) Hirst, Jeffry (Tracy) Erhardt and their families.
John Harris grew up on a farm near Stony Mountain, Manitoba. He left the farm at the age of 21 (1951), and was employed by Transcontinental Airlines for 3 years. Following that, he attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1954 Through 1958, obtaining an education degree.
John’s career in teaching spanned many years and four provinces. He began in Edmonton, teaching there from 1958 to 1960. From there, he moved on to teach and act as school principal at Calvin Christian School in Winnipeg, from 1960 to 1980. John then taught in Lethbridge from 1980 to 1984. From 1984 to 1986 he taught in Ottawa, and his final years of teaching, 1986 to 1990, were spent in Regina.
John was a dedicated teacher. Although he retired in 1990 from employment as a teacher, he still kept his hand in after retirement by spending 8 weeks in China teaching the English language to teachers there. Later on, he became involved in teaching English as a second language to immigrants.
John enjoyed travelling to visit family, especially after retirement. He and Evelyn regularly drove to Ottawa, Lethbridge and Duncan to visit with children and grandchildren. As he aged, the trips became less frequent, then stopped, but his devotion to family remained. He was always glad to hear how various children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing, and what they were up to. This interest and affection expanded to include Trudy and her family when he married her.
John’s faith was a big part of his life. His devotion to God and walking in the ways of the Lord were of utmost importance and formed all of his actions and way of life.
He provided all of his children with a Christian education as well as being a Christian educator himself. He is now with the Lord, as he wished.
A memorial service for John will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 653 Knowles Ave., Winnipeg. A private family interment will take place prior to the memorial service.
The Service will be livestreamed, and available at:
http://covenantcrc.ca/
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Calvin Christian School Supplementary Fund.