Harold Guy Piercy

On Saturday January 23, 2021, peacefully and in accordance to his wishes, Harold Guy Piercy with his loving wife Bonita (AKA Bonny) and stepdaughter Brandy at his side, completed his life’s journey at the age of 86 years old. Due to COVID restrictions, his daughter Joanne and son Jim could not be by his side but we often heard Harold say, “I miss My Joey. I miss My Jimmy. I wish they were here.” Harold has left us the way he lived the better part of his life, by his own set of rules and values. He was a formidable negotiator who fought for justice and righteousness and in doing so, he paved his own way and one might say, forged his own destiny. He is fondly remembered as dad, pop, The Old Man, “Big H”, “P”, Uncle Harold, friend and just plain Harold.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Bonny Olson-Piercy; daughter Joanne King (Jim); son Jim Piercy (Marg); stepdaughter Brandy Love-Schillinger (Mark Schillinger); Grandchildren Raelle King (Mark); Steven King (Kelyn); David King (Shanna); Matthew Piercy; Mark Piercy; Michael Piercy (Susan); Ricky Greenwood (Katherine); Julie Meyers (Justin); Jessie Hanley (Kieran); Adam Corbin (Amanda); Scott Corbin (Michaela); Avery Schillinger and Marley Schillinger; 16 great-grandchildren; as well numerous friends and family. He was predeceased by his mom Millicent and dad Elic Piercy; brother Samuel Piercy; sister Vera Piercy; grandparents Captain Sam and Lucy Piercy; grandparents Harold and Mabel Green; mother and father-in-law Hazel and Harold Rosaasen; daughter-in-law Sharyn Power-Piercy; mother of Joanne and Jim Abigail Piercy.

Harold was born in 1934 and raised in Grand Bank, Newfoundland a small rural community with a rich history of fishing and seafarers such as his grandfather Captain Samuel Piercy. As a proud Newfoundlander he often said, “You can take the boy out of Newfoundland but you can’t take Newfoundland out of the boy.” His family were well respected in the community and owned the General Merchantile and Cod Fishery Business. His grandfather named one of his fishing schooners “The Harold Guy” after yours truly. He absolutely adored his mom and gave her credit for the kind of man he became. Harold spoke of her often and lovingly referred to his mom as “The wind beneath my wings.”

As a child, Harold was very mischievous and he maintained some of that rambunctious exuberance up until his passing. Growing up he loved trouting, picking berries, boxing, sports, playing pranks and street fights which he fondly called “fight night.” One evening with his buddies in tow, they decided to cause some mischief but were soon rounded up by the local RCMP. Not wanting his parents to find out, Harold used his sharp mind and quick wit to save the day. It was then that he realized he had a gift for negotiating and a passion to pursue it.

In 1952, he graduated with a Business administration Diploma (Honours) from Mount Alison University, Sackville, New Brunswick where he won a number of awards including the prestigious Headmaster Award, which was bestowed upon the student in residence who best exemplified the qualities of good citizenship.

After graduation he put his entrepreneurial skills to good use by: working at the family General store, operating a small trucking business hauling scrap iron and rocks, running a taxi business and selling beer to local vendors. In 1954, he took a job with the Ontario Government’s Department of Labour in Toronto. True to Harold’s nature, he negotiated a good salary but upon receiving his first paycheck found it was much lower than expected. His boss had erred on his salary and the government was now refusing to pay. Well Harold stood his ground and was successfully remunerated per the terms of his original agreement. In his new administrative position, he did the leg work to consolidate 3 employment laws under one statute, “The Employment Standards Act” which set the foundation for his career’s journey. After this administrative role, he moved on to become the Director of Labour Standards and then Member of the Ontario Government’s Industry and Labour Board. In 1965, Harold moved to Winnipeg where he accepted a position as Employee Relations Manager for Dominion Bridge Company Limited for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Dominion Bridge was so impressed with his work ethic, knowledge and negotiating skills that they registered Harold in the Banff School of Advanced Management (Premier Management development Institution in Canada) which he passed with flying colors. He remained at Dominion Bridge for 13 years where his primary function was collective bargaining. Harold also accepted a position as a Commissioner with the Workers Compensation Board in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In 1970, he was elected as a School Trustee, then a City of Winnipeg Councillor and finally as the President of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party. In 1976 he opened his own practice Harold G Piercy and Associates alongside his position at Dominion Bridge. In 1978 he left Dominion Bridge and went full time into his private practice as a Labour Relation Consultant primarily to a variety of Employers and the Employer’s Association who were regulated both Federally and Provincially.

Through the next 25 years he acted for Dominion Bridge, 25 privately owned television networks which included CanWest Global, 35 privately owned radio stations, numerous cable operations, uranium operations, telecommunication systems, inter-provincial trucking, Wheat Pool operations, Manitoba provincial judges, Government of Manitoba and Crown Corporation, Pharmaceutical Association Society, Regina health facilities, brewery and soft drink industry, hotel and hospitality, some Canadian Universities and many provincially regulated industries. While Harold had once previously attempted retirement, he finally at the ripe old age of 72 retired officially, though he never truly severed his ties completely and always kept one hand in the cookie jar. Harold was so respected in the Winnipeg community, industry and his peers, a street was named after him, “Harold Piercy Place”. Through his business, he also developed a number of extraordinary and long lasting friendships: Peter and Shirley Liba, Gary Barker, Wyn and Maria Norton, John and Carol Burgis, Rob and Melissa Garden, Kathleen Madden and Glen and Hilda Lawrence.

What made Harold most proud of all was his pro bono work where he helped a host of family and friends who were disadvantaged or needed guidance or needed an advocate to advance their just cause. He was successful in negotiating an unbelievable settlement for a family business, dealt with a number of unfair labour practices and excessive fee issues for many individuals to say the least. To the many family and friends whose causes Harold championed, they are forever grateful and indebted to him including one young lady who couldn’t imagine where her life would be if not for Harold’s intervention.

In 1990, Harold met his soul mate Bonny and throughout the years was a devoted husband who cherished every moment with her. Their love for each other was infectious and until the day Harold passed he referred to her “My Bride” or “My Angel.” For an hour or so each evening, they would enjoy happy hour turning off all electronics so they could talk and Bonny would listen to Harold’s thoughts, his day’s events and his old Newfoundland stories. Harold loved to travel and eagerly anticipated new adventures embarking on weekly for business trips, 10 cruises, trips from Eastern to Western Canada and the USA, Bermuda, Hong Kong, England, Scotland, Italy, France, the Caribbean, Thailand and Mexico. Besides Newfoundland, his most favourite place to hang his hat was his condo in Long Boat Key, Florida. He spent countless hours in his comfy chair overlooking the ocean and loved visiting with Peter and Shirley Liba as well as Glen and Hilda Lawrence who resided in the same complex. The Florida condo was a home away from home which they so graciously shared with their many friends and family who visited this beautiful piece of paradise.

One of Harold’s hallmarks was his desire to be up to date on current events and was known to read 3 or 4 different newspapers each day and he always wanted to know what was going on with his Newfoundland family. Each phone call would always include his standard comment “What’s going on down there?” He loved his country music and Tom T Hall was his favourite. He watched “All in the Family” and “Kids Do The Darnest Things” over and over again and laughed euphorically every single time. He had a passion for golf and took it very seriously as acknowledged by his being one of only a few lifetime members at the Niakwa Golf and Country Club. During one round with some lawyers and business leaders who were constantly on their cell phones, Harold finally said, “I’m leaving because you guys don’t have time to play and should be back at your office if you are that busy. Don’t ruin my game with those constant work related calls” and he then said “good bye” and left.

He loved eating out with some favourites being the Gondola Pizza, Lazy Lobster, Salisbury House, Applebee’s salad, McDonald’s breakfast sandwich, Pork cakes, and Florida’s crab claws. He particularly loved dining out at his favourite fancy restaurants where his table was always specific. He stayed in the same hotel rooms and booked the same seat on each flight. He travelled once or twice a week for business. He loved his clothing and was always dressed to a “T”. As a perfectionist, he ironed all his own clothing including his socks, underwear and bed sheets. No one could iron a starch white shirt better than he. Thank goodness in his later years, he relaxed off on the ironing and dressed more casual.

When he retired, Harold took Bonny on an adventure back to Newfoundland to collect details for his memoir which Bonny helped him complete. The title really told the story, “My Life I Lived It My Way.” Harold had a number of favourite sayings, “I is what I is” and “I am as I am.” If you asked him how he was doing. He would reply, “About a buck and a half” and sometimes “A buck and a quarter.”

Both Bonny and Harold loved children and especially their grandchildren. They made many wishes come true for a number of children, from simple sleepovers, once in a lifetime events and so many other special moments. When the kids went out for their many adventures, they’d race back to tell “P” of the day’s events. When Harold was ill, they always wanted stay by his side and would call to speak to him and he’d be overjoyed. The grandkids in Newfoundland loved to torment and have fun with their grandpa or as they referred to him “Big H.” Harold would get a big kick out of it and revelled in the excitement and fun.

In acknowledgement and self-affirmation of how Harold lived his life he would periodically say, “I love my wife and I love my children and I love my family and my friends. I have done my best to help them to the extent which I have been able.”

At this time the family would like to acknowledge and send their appreciation to all the caregivers, doctors, nurses and palliative care who attended to Harold and his family during this difficult transition. Their compassion and professionalism was exemplary and exceeded our expectations.

In keeping with Harold and his family’s wishes there will be a celebration of life and interment at a later date. Harold has ask that a portion of his ashes be divided between Winnipeg, Grand Bank United Church Cemetery and Long Boat Key, Florida.

Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5Y4, Phone 204-925-1120, in care of arrangements.

Harold’s love, friendship, laughter, warmth, caring and selflessness will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.