Harvey Friesen

FRIESEN _ Harvey Born March 27, 1934 - Died April 11, 2007 Harvey died at home surrounded by his loving family. It was with great sadness that we let him go realizing with a grateful heart how fortunate we were to know this most humble, kind and compassionate man. Harvey was born on a small family farm in section 2, township 14, range 12, west of the 3rd meridian near Rosenbach, Saskatchewan. Harvey was from a pioneer Mennonite family from Russia who settled on the Prairies in 1870. He was shaped, as others were on the Prairies, by the difficult events occurring in Canada during the 1930's and 40's. His Grandfather Daniel, whom he deeply respected, had an enduring impact on his life. Harvey was moved when he saw him reach out to assist others during the great depression and the subsequent drought and dust storms. Harvey also never forgot hearing Tommy Douglas speak about Medicare in Regina. Harvey is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancye, his three children, Chris (Manuela), Tim (Kathleen), Tara (Kim) and his 6 beloved grandchildren, Rachel, Hannah, Madeline, Liam, Lucas and Maya. He is also survived by 3 brothers, Jacob (Elsie), Harry (Erla), Lawrence (Sharlene) and many nieces and nephews. Harvey joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1956 as a Medical Laboratory Technician and served onboard the HMCS New Glasgow from 1964 to 1966. After the Navy, Harvey and his family settled in Ladner, BC. He was privileged to be part of the planning of the Medical Laboratory at Delta Hospital before it officially opened. Harvey retired in July 1997 as Director of Diagnostic Services considering it an honour to have served the people of Delta. Working with many fine people to change the direction of the Hospital, Harvey continued his interest in health care as a founding member of the "Save the Delta Hospital Society" and the "Delta Healthcare Association". Harvey's interests were broad. They included healthcare in Africa and the Ukraine, pastoral care, sponsorship of refugees, cycling, cross country skiing, woodwork, gardening and the great outdoors. Harvey was a deeply spiritual person and a member of the Ladner United Church; Harvey's faith guided him throughout his life. "As I walk through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where there was a den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep, and as I slept I dreamed a dream" -John Bunyan, The Pilgrims Progress. Dear Friends, we invite you to a Celebration of the life of Harvey Friesen on Saturday, April 21 at 2 pm at the Cedar Park Mennonite Church, 5300 44th Ave., Ladner, B.C. Reception will be at Ladner United Church, 4960 48th Avenue, Ladner, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice or the Harvey Friesen Memorial Fund would be sincerely appreciated. Harvey's family is making a donation to the Harvey Friesen Centre for Youth in Lilongwe, Malawi in Southern Africa. Donations can be made through the Canada Africa Partnership on AIDS on line at CAP AIDS' website - www.capaids.org or mailed to the Harvey Friesen Memorial Fund c/o CAP AIDS, 126 O'Connor Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M4K 2K7. Delta Funeral Home (604) 946-6040