Harvey Carmichael

Harvey Armstrong Carmichael

Running at full speed to the very end, Harvey Carmichael died of heart problems on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at St. Boniface Hospital, at the age of 94.  Never one to watch from the stands, he was fully involved with family and community service until the day he left us.  Within the past month he had been watching whales at Churchill, visiting people in hospital and nursing homes, and golfing regularly.

He is survived by his wife Marie Carmichael, children Bob (Carol Anne), William (Lynn), Jody Fletcher (Andrew), Patrick (Elizabeth), Douglas (Shelley), and Jane MacArthur (Darcy), fourteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his wife of sixty-two years, Barbara Carmichael, in 2006, and by great-granddaughter Alexis Fletcher in 2015.

Dad was born January 18, 1922, in Princeton,. B.C., and was attending UBC at the time of his enlistment in the RCAF in 1943.  He graduated as a navigator, and was posted as an instructor to Portage la Prairie, where he met his bride-to-be, Barbara Fairbairn.  Following the war, he returned to Portage to join Fairbairn’s Men’s Wear.  He later spent a number of years with Mutual Life of Canada, then was ordained to the priesthood of the Anglican Church of Canada, and served seventeen years as a parish priest in Kamloops, B.C. before retiring to Carman, Manitoba, and then eventually back to Portage la Prairie.

Community service was a way of life for Dad.  He was always involved with a number of service organizations while living in Portage.  He was a member of the Lions Club, served as School Trustee and Alderman, was a candidate for the provincial legislature, and commanding officer of 575 Portage Terrier Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.  He served in many ministries in the parish of St. Mary’s la Prairie, was active in the Canadian Legion, and an avid golfer. He also took up curling at the age of 91, explaining that “I had always considered it an old man’s sport, and thought that by now I should qualify.”  In November 2014, Dad and Marie were married and enjoyed traveling extensively, including the trip to Churchill and a Caribbean cruise.  He had a keen interest in sports, and the Blue Jays have lost their biggest fan west of Ontario.  He loved doing things with his grandchildren and great-grands, and was frequently in the company of his Portage grandchildren Dan, Jodi, and Callie.

Family was everything, and we could always count on Dad for understanding and support – and a firm hand when needed. Family, Faith, Community and Country – these were his passions, and he served them all with exemplary dedication and distinction, to the day of his death.  He was kind, warm, and loved to laugh …..whatever he did, he did with a smile.  He always took what he believed to be the right way, not the easy way.  For Dad, to live was to serve, and he has inspired us all.

Viewing will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 28, 2016 from 7 pm to 8pm.  Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s la Prairie Anglican Church, Portage la Prairie, led by Rev. John Dolloff.  Reception will follow the service at the William Glesby Centre and a private family interment will take place Hillside Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Harvey’s memory to the Harvey and Barbara Carmichael Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Portage & District, P.O. Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3J9.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com