Lidster, Henry Francis
Posted May 21, 2016 | 4:20 PM
September 13, 1923 – May 18, 2016
Henry Francis (Harry) Lidster died peacefully surrounded by love at Marjorie Willoughby House, Kamloops, BC on May 18, 2106. Born on Sept. 13, 1923, in Regina Sask., Harry spent his childhood there and enjoyed summer vacations on his uncle’s farm just a few hours away by train. Harry, the son of Walter Lidster and Mary Morrow was the third of five boys who had a loving and close relationship. Soon after graduating from Campion College,( where one of his instructors fondly told his mother that he was a “lazy galoot”) Harry enlisted in the Canadian Army. He spent four years in Australia where his intelligence and typing skills were put to use deciphering Japanese coded messages. After the war, Harry married Maria ( Mary) Brescianni and they moved to Vancouver where he completed his teaching degree at UBC. Upon graduation (1951) they moved to Kamloops and Harry began an exemplary 33 year teaching career at Kamloops Secondary—Allan Mathews Campus. Harry was a very popular teacher, vice-principal, and principal who greatly enjoyed his work at Kam Secondary School, John Peterson Junior Secondary and Valleyview Junior Secondary.
Harry was well known in the community as a caring, competent, and skilled teacher and co-worker. Even students disciplined in his office paid tribute to his compassion and caring.
Harry was very involved with the Kamloops Cursillo Movement, Charismatic Renewal and the parish life of Sacred Heart Cathedral and Holy Family Parish.
After his retirement in 1983, Harry and Mary moved to Winfield where they were active with the food bank, square dancing, golfing, and Saint Edward’s Catholic Church. As Mary’s health failed (2000), they moved back “home” to Kamloops. Harry was pre-deceased by Mary his loving wife of 52 years, and son Patrick. Harry is survived by his wife Theresa, children Maureen O’Mara (Bill), Mark (Monie), David (Susan), Cathy Lidster (Tom Volkers), Ruth Lidster (Alan Bogetti), Jerome (Kathryn), Doug (Joanne), brother Ken Lidster , 23 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
The Lidster family would like to thank Dr. Victor De Kock , Dr. Pia Pace , the staff of Marjorie Willoughby House, and the nurses , dieticians, and social workers at Royal Inland Hospital for their compassion and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kamloops Hospice Society or St. Vincent DePaul Society.
Prayers of the faithful will be said at Holy Family Parish on Sunday, May 22, at 5:00 p.m.. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Parish at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23rd. Immediately following the mass there will be a reception in the church hall.
Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
- Date : 2016-05-18
- Location : Kamloops, B.C.