June 20, 1927 - April 29, 2016
The death of Wilfred J. Harcourt occurred on Friday, April 29, 2016, at Kelvindell Lodge after a long illness at the age of 88.
He was predeceased by his daughter Glenda.
Surviving him are Betty, his wife of 52 years; son Dean (Desi) of Kipling, (children, Jordyn and Carson); son Jeffrey of Peace River; daughter Tracy (Shaun Spence) of Swift Current and son-in-law Mike Readman, (children, David and Mark) of Dawson Creek; and sisters, Isabelle and Ethel.
Wilf was born near LeRoy on his parents' homestead on June 20, 1927. He was one of eight children. He attended school in LeRoy and Humboldt and started teaching after only a few weeks at teachers' college, as teachers were in short supply. Since 1947 he taught at Barrier Lake (1 year), Rotnum (4), Hill Peak (2), Kelvington Elementary (3), and Weyburn (1) before attending two years at university to obtain his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education. He then returned to Kelvington to take the principal job at Kelvington High School from 1963 to1984, over 20 years, retiring in 1984 after 37 years of teaching. After he retired, he kept busy by tending his garden, joining the school and hospital boards, and spending time on coffee row with his friends.
Wilf enjoyed his children and their extra-curricular activities including hockey, figure skating, volleyball, and fastball, among others. Later, he enjoyed his grandchildren's sporting events.
Wilf was active in the community through school, sports and in the Lions Club, looking after Santa Claus Day for twenty-five years. He enjoyed his time at the cabin at Greenwater Lake, his garden and his flowers.