Harry White

White, Harry Edward of Langford, British Columbia, passed away at the Victoria General Hospital on Friday June 21, 2024 at the age of 92.

Harry was born in Coalhurst, Alberta on May 7, 1932. Shortly after, he moved with his family to Lethbridge and then to Bellevue in the Crowsnest Pass.

While his brothers John Dan, Joseph and James were overseas during WWII, elder brother Alex taught Harry to drive a tractor so that he could help out on the farm. By age 10 he was driving the tractor full time and helping with many other farm duties. Harry got his first job when he was 16 working at the Sawmill in Burmis. In Grade 12 he worked at the local grocery store delivering groceries, then in the summer joined the road gang clearing a path for the Kananaskis Highway until a job came up in the bank. Harry worked for the Royal Bank at several branches, first in Bellevue, then Blairmore, Barons, Foremost, Beiseker and Cardston. He married his sweetheart Margaret Wesko of Coleman, Alberta in 1957 and moved to Lethbridge where they started their family. Next came a move to Edmonton, then on to become the branch manager in Morinville for nine years. Harry and Margaret raised their four children there and made many dear friends in the community while also making regular trips back to 'The Pass' to visit family. In 1969 Harry was transferred to the Edmonton Main Branch as the Second Assistant and finally in 1970 to the Bow Trail Branch in Calgary. After 21 years he left the bank to work in real estate and eventually started his own company. He retired at age 70 from CIR Realty.

Harry and Margaret loved to dance and were off to a dance with friends whenever they could. As the years passed Harry never lost his sense of rhythm and love of great music. He would often be seen swaying to the music whenever his favourites like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra or Michael Buble began to play. He loved to read, watch movies, and play cards but most of all he loved being with his family and his cat Puki. Those who knew him said he was kind and generous, a good man. His faith was an integral part of his life.

Harry was predeceased by his parents Harry James White and Rose White (Gresl) of Bellevue, his wife Margaret White (Wesko) of Calgary in 2005, brother Alex of Pincher Creek, brothers John Dan, Joe and Jim of Bellevue, sister Clara (Hudz) of Calgary, and his daughter-in-law Jannine White (Cook) of North Vancouver.

He is survived by his four children Patrice Dixon, (Kevin Dixon), Laurie Harding, (Stephen Harding), Bradley White, (Donna Pidgeon-White), Colin White, and grandchildren Alex, Melissa, Luc, Tanner, Ashton and Sophie. He is also survived by his former spouse Annie.

Requiem Mass will be be celebrated at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 10 Prestwick Drive, SE Calgary, Alberta on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 1pm.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Alexander Mackie Lodge in Langford, BC and Vancouver Island Health HomeCare staff who cared for Harry during his time there. Their kindness and compassion were greatly appreciated.

Condolences may be registered at Affordable Cremation and Burial, in Langford, BC at island.affordablecremationandburial.ca/obituaries.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alexander Mackie Lodge Residents Council to support entertainment and activities for seniors.