Obituary of Cyril Harper

Harper, Cyril - It is with great sadness that the family of Cyril Harper announces his passing on April 9, 2006 in Spiritwood, SK at the age of 99. Cyril was born in Shrewsbury, England on February 14, 1907. At the age of 12, he came to Canada with some of his family and they settled on a homestead near Spiritwood. He was the last surviving member of his family of eight children. Cyril was a very hard working farmer who expected nothing in return for his labor except a decent living. He had a brilliant mechanical mind, especially with respect to creating and repairing tools and equipment. He had an amazing memory and loved to tell stories of his past life to anyone who would listen. Cyril and his brothers were respected citizens of the Spiritwood community. He will be remembered as a man who exemplified how to be successful through hard work, integrity, fairness and resourcefulness. He was predeceased by his mother "Lizzie" Harper, his wife Beatrice, brothers George, Horace, Alec, and sisters Hilda, Lily, Kitty and Alice. Two of his sisters, Hilda and Lily lived to be over 100 years of age. Cyril was also predeceased by a niece Alice Ewasiuk and a nephew Rodney Bays. Surviving are three sons and one daughter of Hilda and Percy Bays, Mary (Bill) Gardner, Bruce (Beryl), Jack (Ann) and Eric (Patricia). Also surviving is Joan (Ron) Mercer, daughter of Lily Eastwood, Joan's daughter Donna (Rick) Steadman, and her son Wayne (Gayle). A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. from the Christ Church Anglican Church in Spiritwood with Rev. Peter Boote as the officiant. Linda Pilling sang What a Wonderful World accompanied by Betty Taylor on the organ. Congregational hymns were Battle Hymn of the Republic and Morning has Broken. The eulogy was read by Bruce Bays and honorary pallbearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Cyril's life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Spiritwood Health Complex Foundation Inc. Cyril was laid to rest in the Spiritwood Cemetery. Beau "Lac" Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.