Harry G. Ackstein

June 7, 1938 Wakaw, Saskatchewan –

September 26, 2025 Goodyear, Arizona

Harry was born in the one Canadian province that doesn’t follow the practice of daylight savings time and passed away in one of the two American states that also refuses to turn back the clocks. He thought this was a smart concept, making Saskatchewan and Arizona two of the best places to live. In between that one small detail at each end of his life was a whole world of rich experiences and accomplishments.

Harry was the eldest son of Harry and Anne Ackstein. He was born in Wakaw, Saskatchewan in 1938. Harry was resourceful and ambitious from the start. He had many small jobs as a teenager, from selling seeds to delivering newspapers. As soon as he was out of high school at the age of 18, he took a train from his small hometown to the big city of Winnipeg to interview for an entry level position at the Bank of Montreal (BMO). Starting out as a teller, he quickly moved through many positions at the branch, until he was traveling across the Canadian prairies as an internal auditor. At a branch where he was stationed one Monday morning, he spotted a young teacher cashing her paycheck. It was his high school sweetheart, Patricia Kindrachuk. After taking her out every evening that week, Harry asked for her hand in marriage and she joined him on his big adventure. The bank frequently asked Harry to take on new, larger roles with increasing responsibility, and he said yes every time. “Yes” moved Harry and Pat from Saskatchewan to Winnipeg to Montreal, bringing their new daughter Lois with them. So far from home already, “Yes” then took the little family even further, to the Bahamas, to New York/New Jersey, to Toronto and to Chicago. Each move was made possible by Pat’s support and growing expertise in relocations. Lois became adept at fitting in as the new kid in school. Harry not only thrived in his latest posting, he also cherished these opportunities to see how other people lived, and was endlessly curious about the history of any place they currently called home. He became an ambassador, giving tours to visiting family and friends, happily guiding them through local museums and cultural sites.

Harry concluded his 42 year banking journey in the position of Executive Vice President of Operations. He took great pride in his work and it showed in his endless dedication, ingenuity, and creative problem solving. No issue was too big or too small for Harry’s attention and commitment. The small town prairie boy had come a long way and touched many lives in his distinguished career. When retirement beckoned, Harry and Pat relocated to Pebble Creek in Goodyear, Arizona. Never one to sit around, Harry spent the first few years selling golf carts and used his characteristic wit and charm to be on a first name basis with pretty much everyone in the growing community (and he sold a lot of golf carts!). Later years were spent reading, golfing and socializing with the many friends he and Pat had made over the years. And socializing with Harry was a special and unique opportunity. Everyone who knew him will recall his boundless curiosity, sharp insights on a wide range of topics, and joyous sense of humor.

Harry was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Patricia (Kindrachuk) and his brother Albert Ackstein. He is survived by his daughter Lois (Paul) Niven, nephew Andrew (Jody) Ackstein, and their children, Arlo and Emma.

Arrangements are private.