Harry Hurtig

Harry Hurtig, beloved husband of Gladys Hurtig, passed away peacefully at Bethammi Nursing Home, on Tuesday January 6, 2004.Harry was born in Winnipeg on June 24, 1912, to Max and Eva Hurtig. At the age of six, he and his older brother Ben moved to Port Arthur, where he was educated at Central School, Port Arthur Collegiate and King's Business College. Upon graduation, he began to work in the family businesses, first at the Mariaggi Hotel in Port Arthur and in 1936, as manager of the Mariaggi Hotel his father built in Geraldton Ontario.On November 16, 1938, Harry married Gladys Cox at the Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. They made their home in Geraldton until 1942 when they and their two children returned to Port Arthur Harry became the manager of the International Transit Bus Lines and the Pigeon River Hotel at the Pigeon River Boundary.Always interested in sports and a fine lacrosse player in his youth, Harry, along with the late Joe Greaves and the late Gordon Beazley, founded Little League baseball in Port Arthur in the early 1950's. An avid fisherman, he knew the prime fishing spots in the region, particularly those at Cloud Lake and in his later years, at his cottage at Shebandowan.Harry was a long time member of the Geraldton and Fort William Gyro Clubs, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lakehead Shrine Club and the Royal Lodge, A.F. and A.M. No. 453 RC.He also took a keen interest in local, provincial, and national politics.After a successful and varied career, Harry retired from business in 1967. Not content to remain idle, he enrolled in Confederation College's Hotel Management course and was elected class president. He then joined Superior Airways and spent the next eight years as the tourism supervisor. In their latter years, he and Gladys were able to travel to many interesting parts of the world. However, one of their greatest pleasures was exploring the back roads of Northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota, by car. In recent years, his family is thankful for the loving care Harry received from the staff's of Versa Care and Bethammi Nursing Homes.Harry will be greatly missed by his wife Gladys, his daughter, Sheila Robertson (Bruce) Manotick, Ont. and his sons, Terence (Sue Anne) of Thunder Bay, and William (Darlene) of Winnipeg. Also mourning his passing is his lifelong friend, Mandy Helper.Harry is also survived by his seven grandchildren Michael Bresalier of Cambridge, England, Julie Bresalier of Squamish .B.C. ; Alexander Robertson of Monotick, Ont. , Trevor (Tanya) Hurtig and Evan (Sherri) Hurtig of Thunder Bay; Adam and Kathryn Hurtig of Winnipeg and by his great-granddaughter, Abigail Hurtig and great-grandson Owen Hurtig of Thunder Bay. Also surviving are his sister Dorothy Steiman of Los Angeles, sisters-in-law Claire Hurtig, Elizabeth McLaren, Ann Doman, and brothers-in-law Eddie (Tillie) Cox, and Donald Cox. (Sandra) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Benjamin (Theresa) and Morley, and his sister Rona Baron, (Isidor). Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 9, at 11 a.m. in the Sharrey Shomayim Synagogue, 627 Grey Street. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated.On-line Condolences atwww.jenkens-funeral.ca"