Tribute

Harry passed away peacefully in Powell River, BC. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Doreen, just 25 days earlier.

He is survived by his children Karel (Gord) Gemmell, Wendy (Barry) Dodd, and Brian (Lisa Usher) Lamacraft, his sister Gwen Lamacraft, sister-in-law Joyce (Lorne) Lloyd, grandchildren Daniel Gemmell, Katie Gemmell, Michael (Lianne Cranfield) Dodd, Andrea (Keith) Lee and great-grandchild Mary-Jane Dodd.

Thank you to the physicians and nursing staff at Powell River General Hospital for their care of Harry over the past few years and during his recent stay and final days.

Harry was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, eldest child of Arthur and Charlotte Lamacraft. Harry lived his youth in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. While living in Summerland, BC, at age 18, Harry went to sea joining the Merchant Marines.

Harry’s sailing career included travelling deep sea on Canadian and US vessels to distant shores around the world and experiencing many adventures. In one trip, he made a complete circle of the globe on the merchant navy ship, SS Federal Voyager over seven months between 1949-1950, logging 29,724 nautical miles. He also sailed on the BC coast with the Union Steamship Company and the CPR.

[*]Between his early sailing voyages in 1953, Harry met Doreen in Vancouver at his mother’s boarding house and she became his wife on October 9, 1954. Family life followed and included many travels to Summerland and family reunions on the prairies. Harry was also involved at St. Peter’s Church as Warden.

In later years, Harry sailed with Shell Oil Company; worked as manager of the Tanker Department at Westward Shipping Ltd.; and sailed with Seaspan International for 20 years as Captain of the Seaspan Greg and Seaspan Doris until retiring at age 65 in 1993.

Harry’s retirement years were spent in Powell River where he enjoyed bus tours to Reno and many adventures with Heather Tours and Powell River friends. A recent highlight took place in April 2014 when Harry and Doreen travelled to Fanny Bay, BC to visit with their great-granddaughter Mary-Jane Dodd who had just turned one year old.

Harry enjoyed the quiet life in Powell River, monitoring his investment portfolio, reading his favourite books about ships, aircraft, World War II, military and famous personalities. He also liked to tell stories of his sailing days. Harry will always be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather; a great barbecue chef, lover of good food and wine, and family get-togethers.

A combined celebration of Harry and Doreen’s lives will be held Saturday, August 16, at 2 pm in the reception hall at Stubberfield Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted to Powell River Hospital Foundation, 5000 Joyce Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 5R3 / 604.485.3211 Ext. 4349. For more information, call Karel at 604.483.4014.