William Harry “No Chute” Denison

William Harry “No Chute” Denison was born in Vernon B.C. on December 31, 1924 and died peacefully on Sunday December 5th, 2010. Predeceased by his parents Norman and Ethyl Denison, brothers John and Don, and sisters Dorothy and Daphne, and his wife Lillian. Harry will be remembered and cherished by his 7 children, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was the proud and loving father of Jean Jamieson (Bob) of North Bay, Diane Hockey of Kelowna, Pat Nahrgang (Ian) of Prince George, Bill Denison (Sandy) of North Vancouver, Sandra Denison also of Kelowna, Judy McCarthy (Kevin) and Donna Hutchins, all of Edmonton.
Harry grew up on a farm in Vernon, B.C. where he worked with his family. In 1944 Harry joined the RCAF and became a mid gunner in a Halifax bomber. Shot down during a night raid in March of 1945 Harry fell 22,000 feet without a parachute thus propelling him into the Guinness Book of World Records. After the war he returned home and in 1947 he and his brother John bought an old Army Truck and started the now famous Ice Roads in the NWT. Having greater aspirations Harry began his 50 year career of long haul trucking. Harry made friends wherever he went and his antics on the pipeline were and still are legendary. With all the excitement that followed him, Harry was a pretty simple guy. He loved being with his family and friends, liked to play cribbage and go to the casino. In the end, to us, he was just Gramps. Friends may call at the Martyn Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon and evening from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 pm. Funeral Services to celebrate his life will be held in St. Andrew’s United Church at 11:00am, on Friday December 10th. Harry’s wishes were to be returned to the beautiful Okanogan Valley. His ashes will be interred in the family plot in Vernon B.C. If desired donations in memory of Harry to St. Andrew’s United Church or the North Bay General Hospital MRI Fund will be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be offered at www.martynfh.com.




Charitable donations may be made in William's memory to the following organizations:
North Bay and District Hospital Foundation-MRI Fund
http://www.nbgh.on.ca/foundation
205 Main Street East, North Bay, Ontario P1B 1B2
Tel: 705-495-8125




St. Andrew's United Church Memorial Fund
http://www.standrewsnorthbay.ca
399 Cassells Street North Bay, Ontario P1B 3Z4
Tel: 705-472-7680