On October 2, 2020, Harry Lane of Red Deer, Alberta, passed away at the age of 98.

Harry will be lovingly remembered by his children – Richard (Cynthia) and Valerie (John), his grandchildren – Ashley (Brad), Jonathan (Kelsey), Caitlin, Kenna (Clayton), Brendan, Keely, Kadie and Teddy, and his great grandchildren – Olivia, Alyssa, Riley, Parker and Serenity.

Harry was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years – Lorraine (2011), his sons Douglas (2016) and Thomas (2017) and grandson Chad (2007).

Harry was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba the middle child of Tom and Elsie.  He enlisted in the Army around 1940 and served in the Canadian Dental Corps based out of Shiloh, Manitoba.  Harry moved to Calgary in 1945, met and married his wife Lorraine.  It was here he built his family, career, and life.  Harry made a few career changes over his life – partially as an innovator, entrepreneur or maybe just to try something new!  He initially owned his own dental lab until the early 1960’s but realized this wasn’t the work he enjoyed.  Harry sold insurance for a period.  In the early 1970’s formed an investment group and established a condominium development project on Lake Windermere – Terravista.  Lorraine and Harry made many lasting friends and had wonderful weekends and vacations at Terravista.  It was not until he worked with Sprung Industries that he found his true calling. Harry worked with the Sprung Group and helped establish their temporary structure department – Sprung Instant Structures.  This allowed Harry to travel and make several international friends many of whom he remained in contact with until recently.  Harry worked as Senior Vice President of Sprung Instant Structures until his retirement in 1986.

Harry and Lorraine enjoyed their lives together – with family, friends and travelling.  They “snow-birded” through several winters travelling to different destinations.  Harry and Lorraine purchased a home in Phoenix in a retirement community.  Harry enjoyed the Par3 golf course and managed three witnessed holes-in-one while there.  Harry and Lorraine moved to Red Deer in 2005.  Harry always had a fascination with flashy cars – from being one of the first to own a car in the 1940’s to having his white convertible Trans-Am well into the 21^st Century.  Harry also enjoyed fixing things.  He would often be known to purchase items at 2^nd hand stores, take the unworking item apart and put it back together – usually with great success.  Unfortunately, this skill was lost these last few years and it mainly became Harry taking electronic items apart.  Harry was literate on his computer up until just a few years ago.  This was a skill he was proud of and gave his grandkids bragging rights.  His computer time was lost when he forgot his password to sign on (we believe) or maybe he tried to self-fix a virus?  Harry could always be found enjoying a glass of wine for happy hour.  He was more than willing to share this time with others.  For the past 9 years, Harry would have dinners out on Tuesday evenings with Valerie.  Their date nights were special to them both and gave Harry bragging rights to share his age with servers at various restaurants around Red Deer.  He never looked or acted his age!  Over the past 7 years, Harry lived independently at Revera, Inglewood.  He loved his time in his own home, with his own items and a set routine.   The Revera staff were supportive, kind, and skilled in making his life easier.

There will not be a service, but the family is asking those who would like to raise a glass and share happy hour for Harry with whomever they are with.  A shared happy hour is something he would never turn down.  Memorial donations may be made in Harry’s name to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

The family sends a special thank you to the residents and staff at Revera Inglewood for their loving care and compassion.

If Harry said this once, he said it a thousand times: “I am a lucky man.  I have my health and all my needs met.  I’ve had a good life”.

• Date : 2020-10-02
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home