Harry’s Obituary
Harry Krawchuk, long time resident of the Nampa area, passed away on April 25, 2021, at the age of 86. Harry was born April 11, 1935 in Zadeby, Volyn, Ukraine and came to Canada with his parents and sister Mary, at the age of 4.
After graduating from high school, Harry started working for the Department of Highways as a Soil man and Materials Inspector. This was followed by 4 years working in the oilfield with Dominion Drilling. Harry attended Fairview College from 1960-61 and obtained a diploma in General Agriculture. Harry was also employed by the Alberta Forest Service in forest management from 1964-1975. In 1962, he married Maria (nee Weimann) and 3 children were born to this union: Karen, Linda and Harris.
Harry was a strong believer in public service and an advocate for co-operative initiatives. In 1963, Harry started working on the development of the Nampa Seed Cleaning Plant and went on to have 45+ years of service with this organization. He served as a regional director with Co-op Implements from 1976-1990, and had been a member of Co-op Implements since 1960 and a delegate for the Falher depot for 6 years prior to becoming Regional Director. Harry served three 3-year terms with the Agricultural Service Board, had 50 years of service with the REA as well as involvement with the Peace River Agricultural Development Committee, the Peace River Improvement District and the Nampa and District Agricultural Society. In his farming practice, he was an early advocate for zero-till farming and was a great believer in soil conservation techniques.
Harry had a strong love of music and was a member of a Ukrainian choir while working in Edmonton, in his early years. He played fiddle, upright bass and bass guitar in a band that played at many dances in the area. When the seriousness of married life, farming and children took over, Harry did not touch his fiddle for many years. He became reunited with his fiddle when he became aware of the Alberta Society of Fiddlers and he attended fiddle camps put on by this organization from 2001-2019, only to have these events pre-empted by the COVID Pandemic in 2020. Travelling to fiddle events in B.C. and throughout Alberta was a source of great joy and Harry developed many strong friendships by attending these events. Harry did not read music notes, but, he was able to play by ear and memorize hundreds of tunes, as well as composing many of his own.
Harry and Maria were able to travel extensively when time afforded which saw them visit various places in Europe, Australia, Mexico, Hawaii and Cuba. They also enjoyed cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Artic Circle, Norway and Scandinavia. One of Harry’s most recent trips with family occurred in June 2019 where he visited PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. While there he was able to see the Confederation Bridge, which he marveled at, and Pier 21 in Halifax where his life in Canada began.
Harry was predeceased by his wife Maria in 2012. He is survived by his daughters Karen (Rick) Walger – grandchildren Kaylyn and Graham; Linda (Luke) Nagge – grandchildren Katrina and Will; and, son Harris (Robyn Matlock) – grandchildren Tanner, Taya and Sutton.
Harry had a photographic memory for facts and information on various topics, He was innovative in his agricultural practices and he loved to learn and pass on information to whomever he could.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. If desired, donations can be made to the Peace Palliative Care Society or the Canadian Cancer Society.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Harry Krawchuk April 11 1935 April 25 2021..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Fairview, Province: Alberta