Harvey Dale McLaughlin

Harvey Dale McLaughlin passed away peacefully, surrounded by the faces and voices of his loved ones on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, MB after an unexpected heart attack.

Harvey was born on June 19, 1957 to parents Ivan and Beatrice McLaughlin in Erickson, MB. He lived in Shoal Lake, MB from the ages 2-18. He was “blessed” with two younger sisters, Judy and Shelley and two younger brothers, Kevin and Colin. He spent his lifetime fiercely teasing, roughhousing, scheming with and against, protecting and loving his parents, siblings and their families. Harvey spent his youth playing hockey, fishing, hunting, camping. During high school he worked for Joyce and Ross Short on their farm.

Taking after his dad, Harvey began his employment at Manitoba Department of Highways right out of high school at 18 years old and continued his career with them for 44 years. While working, he made many lifelong friends and always had funny and eventful stories to tell about his time at the Highways Department.

Harvey’s life changed forever when he met the love of his life, Olga. They were married in 1995 and together raised their own children and also helped raise nieces and nephews. Harvey was always happiest when there were youngsters running around and loved to spend time with his grandkids, nieces, nephews and the neighborhood children.  

A family trait perhaps, Harvey was a great storyteller and could make people believe almost anything. He was always a voracious reader and had a real love of history. He loved to spend time outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter his whole life, often using his holidays from work to come to Shoal Lake to go goose or deer hunting with his Dad, brothers and nephews and the Duckville Crew. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren as well, with frequent fishing trips and adventures into nature.

Harvey is predeceased by his father, Ivan McLaughlin and grandson Desmond. Harvey is survived by his wife, Olga; children, Freddy, Billie Jean, Abbott, Micheal, Alice and Beatrice; his mother, Beatrice; his sisters, Judy and Shelley; brothers, Kevin and Colin; his grandchildren, Kieth, AJ, Curtis, Mark, Pamela, Teri, Remy, Ricardo, Charlene, Allison, Xander, DJ, Jesse, Sophia, Chaz, William, Kyle, Denzel and Zoey; his great grandchildren, Cameron, and Naveah. Sisters in law Linda, Hariet, Diane, Annie and brother-in-law Larry and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Harvey lived a meaningful life filled with kindness, generosity and humour. He was deeply loved by all who had the privilege to know him. Although we are sad to lose such a wonderful man, we also celebrate a life well-lived.