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HENRY ANDREW (HARRY) CUNNINGHAM (HARRY)
Born: May 23, 1936
Date of Passing: Sep 23, 2019
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HENRY ANDREW (HARRY) CUNNINGHAM
Also survived by his brother Ted Cunningham (Coney) and his sister Susan Baron (Robert), as well as by many nieces and nephews and their families.
Harry was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Marjorie, and by his identical twin brother Edward in infancy.
Harry was born in Winnipeg on May 23, 1936 and attended Cliff Bungalow School in Calgary and Lord Roberts School in Fort Rouge before graduating from Gordon Bell High School in 1955 and from the University of Manitoba (B.Sc.) several years later. In 1958, while working for the summer at the Forest Insect Research Laboratory in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Harry met Heather MacLeod, a student from Queen's University, who became the love of his life and whom he married on August 20, 1960. As newlyweds, Harry and Heather enjoyed the great adventure of teaching at the military base at Fort Churchill, Manitoba. After they returned to Winnipeg in 1962, Harry taught math and science at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and Churchill High School and also spent several years as a federal Food and Drug inspector. In 1969, he was hired by the Government of Manitoba to lead what was then the new field of environmental education. Highlights of his career included the long-running "Wilderness Corps" outdoor summer experience program for high school students and the many articles and booklets he produced on topics from birds to trees to maps and compasses, which reflected his considerable talents as a writer and illustrator. Harry had many hobbies and passions, particularly electronics, which had fascinated him since he began building crystal radios as a boy. He was an amateur radio operator (VE4 AAR) and also an avid and endlessly inventive woodworker, carver and gardener. While not initially a cat enthusiast, he underwent a remarkable conversion when Heather brought home their first kitten in the 1970s and was second to none in his admiration of the species for the rest of his days. He loved music - particularly classical music and Gilbert & Sullivan but also folk music and bluegrass - and was an ardent fan of ballet and postwar British comedy. Harry will be remembered for his love of all of these things, but above all for his love of his family, which the onset of dementia did not dim in the least.
The family extends their sincere thanks to the staff of the Cornish 2 interim care unit of Misericordia Hospital, where Harry resided for most of this past year, and also to the staff of Concordia Hospital, N2 East, where he was treated with great compassion in the last weeks of his long life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Harry's memory may be made to the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, 204-510-1855; D'Arcy's Animal Rescue Centre, 204-888-2266 (see instructions for each online), or to any charity of your choice.
In accordance with Harry's wishes, there will be no service.
Family and friends may sign a
book of condolence at www.glenlawn.ca
Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 28, 2019
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Dear Heather and Family: So sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I only met Harry once or twice but was always struck by his generosity, quick wit and friendly manner. Hope you find strength in each other. - Posted by: Shelley Pfeffer (Friend) on: Oct 01, 2019
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I remember my brother as a very caring and loving person. He was a wealth of knowledge and was always ready to share this knowledge (a simple question would turn into an hour answer). As a kid I just wanted a simple answer. He had so many interests and one never knew what was coming next. One time he fired a lacrosse ball through our kitchen window across the table and into my soup. I remember him coming to breakfast one wintry day and he couldn't stand up straight. Mom asked him what was the matter and he replied his long johns were too small. Mom took a look and discovered he had his arms through the legs, his legs through the arms and his head through the trap door. That was Harry; never a dull moment. He loved music and when Mom & Dad were out he would play music very loud; the house shook. Consequently I knew every word for all Gilbert & Sullivan operettas just from having to listen to them. I was so fortunate to have him as a brother and loved him deeply. My kids will always remember him as "Fun Harry". - Posted by: Susan Baron (Sister) on: Sep 30, 2019
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Our sincere sympathy to your family. - Posted by: Shirley Gendron (nee Proceviat) (Neighbour friend) on: Sep 29, 2019
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Dear Mrs. Cunningham, Heather and Andrew: Harry was an amazing man!...and what a character, what a mind!!! I first met him in the spring of 1978 when I went to 1495 St. James Street to check out this summer program called Wilderness Corps. My friend and I were lucky to be picked in the draw and that summer changed out lives. I worked there the next summer (1979) until 1981. The goal of encouraging participants into careers in Natural Resource Management (as the MB Dept was named then) imprinted on me as I went to Lethbridge Community College to study Fish and Wildlife Management then later attained a BSc Ag in Range Management. It was a direct result of this program because put me in touch with the many reasons and connections that triggered my passion for the environment. Although I have no official count, there are many marriages that resulted from this program as well. Harry was the lynch pin. An encyclopedia of knowledge and stories that spilled out whenever I spent time with him. He later hired me to answer phone calls for the Information Line of the Department. That crazy building with a maze of cubicles!... and every morning a strange sign with a picture of pants jutting out from his work space (Harry was changing out of his bike shorts into work clothes after his long bike commute with The Heck's Angels). His stories were always imbued a love of his wife, son and daughter. He always spoke of them with great affection. I still have his "How to Read a Map" booklet in my library. Although I wouldn't remember the street address he lived at in St. Vital I know it would stand out because of the massive short wave radio antenna on the roof! He constantly amazed me with his range of knowledge and experiences. Harry touched a lot of people and in so doing positively influenced their lives....and that is the measure of life well lived! I am proud to have known him even though I lost touch a long time ago. My thoughts are with you for your loss. - Posted by: Alyson Comack (Wilderness Corps Member and Staff) on: Sep 29, 2019
