HARVEY “HARV” ZACHARIAS

It is with the heaviest of hearts that the family announces the passing of Harvey “Harv” Zacharias, beloved husband, father, and Papa, on September 12, 2026.

Harv was born on April 10, 1942, in the Rural Municipality of Rhineland, where he grew up on the family farm. He was the 16th of 21 children, raised in a large family where the importance of faith in God, family, and hard work was instilled in him from an early age.

Those values stayed with him throughout his life and became the foundation for the family he would later build with Mary.

Harv met the love of his life, Mary, while managing a beet field. As the story goes, Harv’s brother pointed Mary out while she was working in the field, making a comment about her legs. Harv didn’t need to look twice before asking Mary out on a date. One date was all it took, he was hooked. From that day forward, Mary was on the receiving end of a delivered Mountain Dew after every shift. And just like that, a love story began.

Harv and Mary were married on November 4, 1967. Together, they built a life filled with family, adventures, hard work, and nearly 59 years of memories.

Harv took great pride when it came to buying something for Mary. He would ever so carefully choose jewelry, perfume, and outfits, putting plenty of thought into finding just the right gift. He genuinely enjoyed spoiling her and took great satisfaction in getting it just right.

Harv dabbled in a few careers over the years before finding his true passion in home building, particularly working with concrete. In 1974, he and Mary moved to Winnipeg, where Harv built their first house. That house became the family home where they raised their three daughters and countless family memories were made. His passion for building continued throughout his life, and he proudly helped each of his daughters build their first homes.

Harv will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Mary; daughters Angie (Rob), Jodena (Jeff), and Tanya; and grandchildren Ryan (Brittany), Paige, Noah, Peyton, Taryn, Brady, and Skylar.

When it came to his three daughters, Harv proudly referred to them as “Harvey’s Angels.”

He would beam with pride when talking about his girls and could tell you a story about them to anyone willing to listen. Then came the grandchildren, and Papa was in his glory. He loved watching them grow, cheering them on, teaching them a thing or two, and sharing in all their adventures. His girls had given him his greatest title yet, Papa.

Family was at the heart of Harv’s life. He loved spending time with his girls and grandchildren, whether gathered around the table or together at a family event. Saturday afternoons could often be spent playing cards, board games, or pool with his girls after he had made a mean pot of KD. He enjoyed teaching and playing chess with some of his grandchildren and was always happy to share his knowledge.

Harv played many roles in the family, but one that stands out in the hearts of his grandchildren was when he became “Dr. Snuggrass.” No matter how big or small the injury, Papa was always ready to make it better. A bump, bruise, scrape, or even the smallest of mishaps was enough to bring Dr. Snuggrass into action. With his own special combination of attention, reassurance, and whatever Papa magic he seemed to possess, he could turn tears into smiles before long.

Family gatherings brought their own kind of competition. Harv enjoyed playing pool, bocce ball, and crokinole with his sons-in-law, along with dominoes, cards, and dice with the whole family. There may have been one game where the family could consistently get the better of him: dominoes. He may have let us win occasionally, just to keep us coming back.

Sports were a huge part of Harv’s life. He could often be found on a ball diamond playing just about every position, except catcher. His heart, however, belonged on the mound. His talent and dedication earned him the Wilbert Funk Trophy as Manitoba’s Player of the Year, an accomplishment he was proud of.

Harv loved watching the Toronto Blue Jays, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Winnipeg Jets, but the teams he cared about most were the ones his grandchildren played on. Those were the games that really mattered. He loved coaching his daughters, and when his coaching days were over, he simply moved his coaching to the sidelines. He and Mary could be found sitting together, watching the game and sharing their thoughts, whether anyone had asked for them or not.

Curling was another love that stayed with Harv throughout his life. He played in a men’s league and mixed doubles with Mary, and together they spent many weekends playing in bonspiels. Later in life, Harv took up golf and enjoyed many rounds on the course with Mary and his sons-in-law, creating more memories along the way.

When spring arrived, Harv’s attention turned to the yard. He and Mary could be found outside discussing what plants to buy and what they should grow in the garden. Their yard was something to behold, meticulous, with not a weed in sight and flowers blooming everywhere. Harv took great pride in it, and it was another thing he and Mary enjoyed creating together.

Harv also loved to travel. He enjoyed family road trips, camping, and vacations, making memories along the way. In their later years, he and Mary continued to explore together, enjoying bus tours and travelling to many warm destinations. There was always somewhere new to go, something new to see, and a story waiting to be made.

But perhaps what people will remember most about Harv was his sense of humour. He had a wit like no other, was quick with a one-liner, and always seemed to have a joke ready. He could make people laugh when they least expected it, and there was usually a twinkle in his eye that told you he knew exactly what he was doing.

Harv was also known for being a “sharp-dressed man.” His ability to coordinate his outfits was something all his own, and later in life, he added hats to the ensemble. He knew how to put an outfit together, and the hat was always the finishing touch. While Mary eagerly waited for the final reveal, she was never disappointed. She could always count on Harv to be dressed to impress.

Harv was a hard worker, a competitor, a coach, a builder, a gardener, a traveller, a teammate, and a storyteller. But above all, he was a husband, a dad, and a Papa who loved his family deeply.

His life was built around the things that mattered most to him: Mary by his side, his girls and grandchildren close to his heart, family gathered around the table, a game to be played, a garden to tend, a road to travel, and always a good joke to tell.

While we will miss his laughter, his stories, his advice, and those perfectly timed one-liners, we know there will never be a shortage of memories to keep him close.

Harv leaves behind a family who loved him dearly, a lifetime of stories, and a legacy that will continue through the generations.

He was one of a kind, and he will be forever loved and deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harv’s memory to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Golden Door (now Prairie Crocus Manor) for the kindness, compassion, and care they provided to Harv. Your patience, warmth, and genuine concern meant so much to Harv and to our family. We are deeply grateful for everything you did to make his days comfortable and for the care and dignity you showed him along the way.

In keeping with Harv’s wishes, a private celebration of his life will be held with immediate family.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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