George Harris

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. George Allen Harris of Birtle, MB passed away suddenly at the Russell Hospital on November 17, 2022, at the age of 91.

George was born on June 27, 1931, at home Northeast of Bowsman on SW 16-38-26 to Beatrice (nee Woodley) and Charlie Harris. He was the third of their four children. George was raised on NE 9-38-26 where the family moved to when he was 5. He attended the Kemulch one room schoolhouse till Grade 8 and then went to high school in Bowsman.

George married Viola Johnston in Swan River on November 23, 1954. They lived and raised their three children on the same farm where George was born. He farmed from 1950 to 2002. George and Viola moved into Bowsman in 2003, then to Heritage Manor in Swan River in 2018. They made their last move to Birtle in 2021.

George enjoyed learning and community service. He gained the knowledge necessary to build his family home and to contribute to the community. He completed a plumbing and an electrical course, and was a 4H member in the Tractor Club. He was a long-time member of the Bowsman United Church and served several terms on the Board of Directors. He also served on the Kemulch School Board and the Pool Elevator Board of Directors. George considered community service his honour.

George was an athlete in his youth and made an effort to always stay fit. High jumping and soft ball gave way to horseshoes and curling as he aged. He was a competitive horseshoe pitcher, and participated several times in the Munroe Curling Cup Bonspiel. When he could no longer play sports, he watched them on TV; especially curling where he was a very vocal armchair skip.

George is survived and sadly missed by Viola, his loving wife of 68 years; son Allen (Corrine), grand daughter Michelle (Travis), great grand children Keira, Daxton, Colby, grandson Jeremie (Josee), great grand daughter Olive; daughter Melanie, grandchildren Ryan, and Brandy (Terry); son Marvin (Valerie), grandsons Lucas (Danielle), Zachary, Colton (Emily) and Troy; brothers-in law Allan Johnston (Linda) and Sam Forsachuk; sisters-in-law Nadine Nichiporuk, Valerie Forsachuk and Maxine Harris. As well as many nieces, nephew, cousins, and friends.

George is predeceased by his parents Beatrice and Charlie, his siblings Eva, Bertie and Jean, brothers-in-laws Bill Graham and Bill Nichiporuk, sister-in law Willene Dunn, nephews Russell, Ronald, Barry and Donovan and niece Robins.

Following a service from Swan Valley Funeral Service Chapel at 1:00pm on December 5, 2022, George’s final resting place will be the Bowsman Cemetery.

We would like to thank the Birtle Homecare workers who attended to George, the staff of the Russell Hospital for the care, kindness and consideration bestowed upon George and the family, and Swan Valley Funeral Service for their gentle guidance with this difficult time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Harris, please visit our floral store.