HARVEY GRANT BELL

To say Harvey left a legacy would be an understatement.

Harvey impacted the world around him with his patience and his kindness, his hard-working nature, and his quiet strength.

Two of the biggest influences in Harvey’s life were his parents, Jack and Peggy Bell, for whom he had the deepest respect. They were hard-working, loving parents who taught Harvey the value of family.  

Harvey was born in 1939 joining his older sister Elaine. Their Dad’s work with CP Rail had them moving an astounding 16 times over 18 years, spending time in communities across western Canada. Harvey and Elaine were always the “new kids” on the block which meant their connection to each other was incredibly important and meaningful.

Harvey grew up spending time alongside his dad and together they could fix anything, which started Harvey’s love of all things with a motor. We don’t believe there’s a type of vehicle on the planet that Harvey hasn’t owned at one point or another. Due to his love of negotiating, buying and selling, Harvey has owned cars, trucks, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, quads, an Isetta, and a cherry picker to name a few. He earned his pilot’s license as a young man and even built an airplane. He had been a part of The Clutchers Car Club and one of his last projects was the restoration of a 1950 Mercury.

When his family settled in Winnipeg, Harvey met the love of his life, Kristine. For 64 years, Harvey was utterly devoted to Kristine and they are an example to his family of what a loving marriage and partnership should be. Harvey was fiercely devoted to his family.

They purchased their Charleswood home in 1964 and he never moved homes again.

Harvey and Kristine welcomed three children into the world, the first being daughter, Marilyn. Harvey always made it known that in his eyes she was the most beautiful girl in the world.  

Their son Grant was born a couple of years later and Mike joined the family a few years after that. Harvey couldn’t have been more proud of his sons. He worked alongside them on cars and motors and taught them how to fix anything and everything just as his father had taught him. They were his best friends.

Harvey loved his children fiercely and he would protect them with his life. He and Kris raised them with patience, kindness, and guidance with a strong moral compass.

One of Harvey’s favourite places in the world was at the lake and he helped build the family cottage.

The lake is where his heart was because that’s where his family was. Many incredible summers were spent there together and with extended family as well. His sister, Elaine, and her son, Mark, visited every summer and time was devoted to boating, waterskiing, fishing and building forts.

And of course, many roaring good times were spent with the Magnus clan including Greg, Diann, Scott, and Laura.

Harvey had many, many jobs in his earlier years, but he established his career at Inland Cement early in his marriage. He formed lifelong friendships with his coworkers at Inland that continue to this day.

Harvey retired from Inland on a Friday and immediately started back on Monday working on a contract basis. 

With his in-depth knowledge of the cement industry across North America and his love of negotiation, Harvey’s second career in the cement industry took him throughout Central America and had him dealing with people globally on the buying, selling and transporting of cement plants all over the world. Harvey formed some incredible relationships and had a great respect for the people with whom he dealt on these complex operations and, equally, they had a great deal of respect for him. 

The Bell family grew with Grant marrying Mona and together they have children, Stephanie and Evan; Marilyn married Brian and they have children, Lauren and Alex; Harvey was exceedingly proud of the lives his children have created with their partners. He adored and respected each of them and their extended families. The Klagenbergs and the Sendens became a dear part of his life.

Watching his four grandchildren, Lauren, Alex, Stephanie, and Evan grow up brought him great joy. With his unwavering support, these four incredible young people have established their own successful starts to life and we see his influence in each of them – they have his patience, determination, honesty and kindness among many other beautiful traits. They love their Poppa with their whole hearts and will miss him dearly.

Harvey looked forward to his daily visits with his son, Mike, and planned his day around them.

Harvey had a soft spot for animals and the dogs in his life meant the world to him. One of his favorite things to do at the lake was to float on an innertube with Nicky on his lap and they would enjoy the refreshing water together.

Harvey was committed to his health and went to the Reh-Fit Centre every afternoon. While it started being about his fitness, it quickly turned into his daily social event as he made the most wonderful friends there.

Harvey and Kris complemented each other perfectly and through every season of life Harvey remained constant and present in his commitment to her and their family, putting them before himself. He proved he would move heaven and earth for those he loved. Time and again, if someone he cared about had a problem, he would try to solve it as if it was his own because his heart couldn’t bear to see them struggle.

Every Tuesday evening, the family gathers at the Charleswood home for a visit and this past Tuesday was like any other. We are incredibly grateful that we had a wonderful evening together, not knowing what tomorrow would bring.

We toast Harvey today with a glass of his homemade red wine, knowing that he is being welcomed on the other side into the loving arms of those who have gone before him: his parents, Jack and Peggy Bell; Kris’s parents, Lloyd and Gwynneth Magnus; Stephanie Magnus, Kerry Magnus, Jack Giesbrecht and Diann Magnus. He will see the friends he has been missing and he will be cuddling his dogs, Buff, Nicky and Beau.

We are forever blessed by Harvey’s love for us. He will always influence those who knew him and loved him and because of that, his legacy is eternal.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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