WILLIAM ALFRED HAROLD COATES (HADDIE)

Condolences & Memories (18 entries)

• Extending our heartfelt sympathy to the Coates family on the passing of W.H. Coates. As valued members of the foundation family we were deeply saddened to learn that Mr. Coates had passed away. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute and his inspirational life. Staff & friends at the HSC Foundation - Posted by: Lynda Ruban (staff at Health Sciences Centre Foundation) on: Apr 01, 2019

• I met Harold a few times when driving Mom - Kathleen - to Morris School Reunions. She loved these times with friends of her youth. Harold was instrumental in making these special events happen. He seemed like a kind, generous and joyful person. Though I did not know Harold, his enthusiasm seemed to be infectious. On behalf of my Mom, who also recently passed, thank you for the efforts of your Father and Grandfather. Sincerest condolences. - Posted by: Sharon Eadie (Daughter of a Friend) on: Mar 18, 2019

• Nan and family. My deepest condolences. Haddie and I met while flying with the air cadets, I have fond memories of our trips to Penhold, as well cadet camps in Gimli. He will be missed. - Posted by: Dale Campbell (Friend) on: Mar 11, 2019

• Haddie and Nan have been a part of my married life for almost 52 years. Haddie was always such a gentleman and he had a great sense of humour. We always enjoyed all the visits and outings we had with the Coates family over the years and we very much enjoyed our lunches with Haddie and Nan when they came out to Victoria to get away from the Manitoba winters for a few days. I will miss his gentle presence. My heartfelt condolences to Nancy, Lin, Carol, Ron and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Berlinda Pink - Posted by: Berlinda Pink (family friend) on: Mar 11, 2019

• Haddie and my father Ken Pink met in Morris, Manitoba during summer break from school and became lifelong best friends. My brother Larry, sister Barb and I have known Haddie all of our lives and have many happy memories of camping on weekends and holidays with the Coates family at Brereton Lake, where many summers were spent. We are eternally grateful for the help and support Haddie gave our mother after our father passed. He was the best of friends to our parents and we will miss him and always cherish his memory. Our heartfelt condolences to Nancy, Lin, Carol, Ron and all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ray, Larry and Barb Pink - Posted by: Raymond Pink (family friend) on: Mar 11, 2019

• Haddie was truly a legend in the Prairie Region Air Cadet Gliding program. One of the first people I had the privilege to meet back in the summer of ‘88 when the summer Gliding School was in Penhold AB. Little did I know at the time that we’d be working together in Gimli that fall, and for a great many years afterwards. A hard-working diligent soul with a spring in his step that could always be counted on. In my time with the Gimli Gliding Centre he was always around, and always positive. He was a constant. Reflecting on how many lives his time in Gimli influenced either directly as a teammate, or indirectly introducing the joy of aviation to generations of aspiring cadets by towing or flying with them, those numbers are truly staggering. He’ll live on in the memories of all of us that knew him and called him our friend. - Posted by: Christian Augst (Friend) on: Mar 11, 2019

• I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Haddie at the regional gliding school. I always enjoyed our chats on and off the airfield. I had great admiration for him, for his kindness and generosity, sense of humour, and enthusiasm. I feel very honoured to have known him. My deepest condolences and sympathies go out to his family and friends. He will be missed. - Posted by: Krish Rao (Friend) on: Mar 10, 2019

• Haddie was a true gentleman pilot, always with a smile on his face and encouragement on his lips. Striding around the airfield in his too-big flight suit he was an inspiration to the young Air Cadets learning to fly, and someone to emulate for the instructors and pilots. Most sincere condolences to his family and other friends. - Posted by: Darin Reeves (Flying friend) on: Mar 10, 2019

• I recall Haddie well, having worked with him at the prairie region gliding school. He was a fine and humble man who could always be counted on, not only for the work at hand but for his sage advice which was much appreciated. Haddie was held in high regard, and my sincere condolences go out to his family. Vas Rao - Posted by: Vas Rao (Fellow pilot) on: Mar 10, 2019

• A Legend in the Air Cadet flying world, Haddie was an inspiration to all of us. A true gentleman aviator, with the brightest, most positive spirit you’d ever met. Gimli was a better place because of Haddie. The Air Cadet flying community was better for having Haddie in it. He had a talent for making all of us want to be better, for having known him. He will be missed dearly, but we were all lucky to have had the times we did with him. I flew with Haddie from 1989-1998 during my time at the Gimli Gliding Center, and will always be inspired by his memory. Godspeed, Haddie, hope to see you up there, soaring in the heavens again someday. - Posted by: David Maric (Friend ) on: Mar 09, 2019

• I had the pleasure of flying with Haddie and learning the “ins and outs” of being tow-pilot throughout my years as a reservist at the Regional Gliding School (Praire). I remember the little truck very very well. At the time , in my 20’s , I remember being amazed at how “spry” Haddie was. I looked up to him as a pilot and “older hand”. My thoughts are with the family as your mourn in Gimli, but you should take strength in what a positive influence Haddie has on us “young bucks” learning to fly. You couldn’t meet a better mentor or a nicer man. Sincerely Todd Lemieux Nanton, Alberta - Posted by: Todd Lemieux (Fellow Pilor) on: Mar 09, 2019

• I had the privilege and honour of working with Haddie at Transit from 1976 until he retired and greatly admired the man for being a hardass when needed, but more importantly asa mentor and coach to the Operators as well as all of the staff at Transit. Haddie was a quiet but incredibly effective persona and his retirement was a huge impact on the relationship between middle/upper management and the rest of the operations team. Haddie was a man who’s advice and guidance saw me through my career until I retired as the Chief Inspector. RIP Mr Coates. - Posted by: Dan Kirk (Co worker Winnipeg Transit) on: Mar 09, 2019

• Rest in peace my friend, Skyline won’t be the same. Love you - Posted by: William and Kathy Skyline (Friend ) on: Mar 09, 2019

• My deepest condolences to the Coates family. I have many happy memories of Haddie including Christmas at Lin and Kerry’s place. Sorry for your loss Nancy. ❤️ - Posted by: Craig Phelps (Brother in law to Lin) on: Mar 09, 2019

• My condolences - Nancy and family on the passing of Haddie. I remember you when you were first married and living on Corydon, I lived across the back lane. When you moved to St. Vital I used to ride my bike over to visit you. After marrying and moving away we lost track of each other. Fortunately after moving back to Winnipeg, I reconnected with Haddie when we was having his pilots medical, I was working for his doctor. We had some good catch up visits and he was so proud of his children and grandchildren. What a lovely man he was. I have wondered for the past several years where you had moved, now I know Gimli was the place. It sounds like you two have had a wonderful 68 years and you will have those memories to carry you through this difficult time. I’m so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Susan Allery Heim (Old friend) on: Mar 09, 2019

• My Uncle Harold took me up in his plane projects and gave me a love for planes and flying as a young boy. I joined the Air Cadets and was there until they kicked me out full term. While at Air Cadets I had many great experiences and loved the gliders in Red Deer, Alberta . Something I've never forgotten . Thanks to Uncle for this and for all the years I have known him it was always a pleasure and it lifted me with a smile. Uncle was my Sky Pilot Love and Condolences Robbie and Pamela Lachance - Posted by: Robert and Pamela Lachance (Nephew to Harold) on: Mar 09, 2019

• Haddie was an inspiration to all the cadets and staff he came in contact with, both as a pilot with stories, suggestions and advice, and even more as "the spry old guy" with his constant activity, pure determination and boundless enthusiasm. He will be missed at the airfield, around the coffee room and in our hearts. - Posted by: Captain Scott Cameron (Friend) on: Mar 09, 2019

• We first met Haddie and Nancy through our mutual love of Shelties, back in the 1980s. We always enjoyed socializing with them at Sheltie related events. We offer our most sincere condolences to all the family on Haddie's passing. - Posted by: Sherrie and Cam Sparling (Friend) on: Mar 09, 2019