Harold (Harry) Otchenash

October 24, 1955 ~ August 8, 2019

Harry is survived by his beloved wife Debbie, predeceased by his father Andrew Otchenash, brother Joseph Paul and is survived by his mother Pauline (Brian), brother Howard (Suzanne), Sadie and Zach and various other relatives, near and far.

Harry was born in Yorkton, SK, grew up in Rivers, MB before moving to Winnipeg in 1967.  He attended Westwood Collegiate and also RRCC where he received his provincial electrician certificate and Calgary Tech College for his interprovincial certificate.  What many people don’t know is that Harry was also a skilled musician as a young man, playing the violin and also the drums.

In 1980 he began work at CNR.  Rising quickly through the ranks, he worked at headquarters in Montreal and returned to Winnipeg Symington before leaving CN in 1998.  He then went on to run short line railways in The Pas and Prince Albert.  Next, Harry began another railway job with GM in Winnipeg, which came with a new car every three months and made him the envy of his car-loving friends.

In 2006, the big adventure of his life began.  A two year contract turned into ten years in what became Harry’s second home; Australia.  He learned new Aussie “lingo”, how to drive on the right side of the car and wrong side of the road, found snakes in his office lights, giant bugs in his home, frogs in the toilets and developed a wicked addiction to Tim Tams.  He also made lasting friendships with everyone he worked with. 

Retirement in 2016 meant a final move back to Canada, the ice and snow, the “forever” home and of course, golf any old day of the week.  Anyone who knows Harry knows he loves his sports.  He was always an athlete, excelling in volleyball, and AAA hockey as a young man.  Golf was his true passion and he was fortunate enough to play at some of the worlds most beautiful courses.  He got in “a game or two” in Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Borneo and Singapore, not to mention all over Australia, the US and Canada.  Most recently he was a member at Pinawa golf course and played as often as he could.

Thanks so much to all the amazing, strong and wonderful women from Beausejour Hospital, home care, respite care and the palliative care team.  Thanks to Dr. Rehana Alarakhia from HSC whose hard work, compassion and kindness was a gift.  Special thanks also to Zenda whose beautiful spirit made an incredible difference and gave strength and courage when it was desperately needed.  Gratitude to Mary and Charlie, so much more than friends, who went above and beyond every day.  To the women in my family and Harry’s mom who sat vigil with me, who told stories and tried to take some of the burden, thank you.

A love letter to my husband
Harry you were an amazing man. You could turn your hand to anything and your job jar was always full to overflowing as we worked together to create our forever nest. You always gave it your all, taking care of me and our home and helping my ideas come to life. You were smart, kind, caring, patient, and funny and we had many wonderful adventures together. You indulged your passion for golf whenever you could and all our vacations were golf vacations with “other stuff” that I could spend time doing. We spent over half our lives together but it could never be enough. I am a better woman for knowing and loving and being loved by you, my Harry.

In that last dance of chances
I shall partner you no more
I shall watch another turn you
As you move across the floor

In that last dance of chances
We shall know each other’s minds
We shall part with no regrets
When the ties no longer bind

In that last dance of chances
When I know you’ll not be mine
I will let you go with longing
And the hope that you’ll be fine

In that last dance of chances
When I bid your life goodbye
I hope she treats you kindly
I hope you learn to fly

Author unknown

Sleep well my love, remember, you promised.

Memorial to be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel in Beausejour.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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