Winnipeg Free Press

Nominated by: Jon Phillips

Why Harry Lehotsky should be a Great Manitoban:

Claim to fame: Founder New Life Ministries, community activist

Manitoba dosage: 3.5

Fast Facts: Lehotsky was a fierce advocate for the poor in Winnipeg's West End...He founded two housing programs and the Ellice Cafe and Theatre...He was named a member of the Order of Canada in February 2007, a few months after his death to cancer at age 49.

35 Comments

• Few that call themselves Christians have been as instrumental in changing lives and community as the late Rev. Lahotsky. He was a moral exemplar that poured his soul into his family and community until he was claimed by the Lord a couple of years ago--a most worthy candidate for the Greatest Manitoban.

  Posted by: Brad Monteath | 2008-05-31 22:54:50

• He worked tirelessly to improve the conditions of the inner city and the lives of so many who needed his advocacy and faith.

  Posted by: Mary Burston | 2008-06-03 16:10:09

• Sadly, the nominator was grossly vague. Thank you to the other commenters for fleshing out this worthy nomination.

  Posted by: John Richthammer | 2008-06-16 19:57:36

• a wonderful nominee for the greatest Manitoban...he worked tirelessly for those greatest in need. What a loss.

  Posted by: Linda Gilroy | 2008-06-22 17:02:08

• Rev. Lehotsky embraced his chosen city of Wpg, sharing and teaching christianity with the citizens of this city, especially inner city residents. He was a tireless advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, and left a legacy to all of us of compassion, tolerance and respect to all. He committed himself to this city in community service, sharing his beliefs in faith and humanity. He should always be remembered and respected.

  Posted by: Janis Richards | 2008-06-22 17:44:37

• An amazing man with an amazing heart!

  Posted by: Amanda Martens | 2008-06-23 23:51:07

• Harry Lehotsky is every man's hero. He represents all of us - and lived his life in a way we all aspire to live our own each & every day. Let's honor him & his family by declaring him the greatest Manitoban!

  Posted by: Jennifer | 2008-06-24 15:39:01

• Harry was a man who was not afraid to die for his saviour. He loved all, even if they did not love him. He encouraged many including me, to trust in God and lean on him. He had a sad death but lived a great life.

  Posted by: Bailey Bakun | 2008-06-25 01:58:39

• Harry was a quiet champion. He shared his life with the poor of this city. He just wanted to treat people as Jesus would have treated them, with love and dignity. He accomplished that and was loved by multitudes.

  Posted by: Jo-Ann Swenson | 2008-06-26 21:45:14

• Harry Lehotsky's life shows us how an ordinary person can accomplish extraordinary good for others by living out compassion for neighbours and respect for every human being. He did what was an obvious mandate for Harry - he loved his neighbours.

  Posted by: mary reimer | 2008-06-28 15:51:45

• "Greatest Manitoban". Harry lived out Jesus words that Greatness is shown by serving God and its neighbours. I know Harry as a friend. He was willing to serve the community in Jesus name, like no other in our city.

  Posted by: Christoph Koebel | 2008-06-30 12:19:31

• mr Johnson's "comment" need a reply. Yes Rev. Harry did not grew up in Winnipeg. and He did not bring AMERICAN style to winnipeg. He is THE MOST COMPASSIONATE Christian I ever met.

  Posted by: Christoph Koebel | 2008-07-01 14:08:07

• He had so little in worldly possessions,but he was rich in God's grace and gave so much of himself for the betterment of those who had so little.

  Posted by: Agnes Selin | 2008-07-05 01:29:20

• I would have to say Mr. Lehotsky practiced a very open, people oriented style of helpfulness (very unlike some conservatives I know). I had the privilege of meeting and working with him. He embodied the quiet spirit of greatness although I'm sure he'd shirk all honour and acclaim. He was a small man with a big heart.

  Posted by: Melody Chepil | 2008-07-07 04:09:05

• Re: Mr. Johnson... Your original comment was deleted because it was deemed offensive.

  Posted by: John White | 2008-07-08 14:55:26

• a man who lived for others.....

  Posted by: john shantz | 2008-07-09 12:04:51

• Harry loved and cared for those of the inner city from within the inner city and not from the comfort of the suburbs. If he was bought and paid for, he should have asked for a better neighborhood.

  Posted by: Carmela Gray | 2008-07-14 22:32:19

• Like my father John,Harry dedicated his life to helping the less fortunate.Ordinary folks who help others achieve greatness.

  Posted by: Grant Rodgers | 2008-07-15 21:10:25

• harry lehotsky is a hero that loved all of gods people. He forgave us and fought for us all, in the name of god and love! We should be so lucky to have ever been blessed by his presence! We should follow his example and fight for what we believe in! He was called to us!

  Posted by: THERRIEN | 2008-07-16 03:41:56

• harry lehotsky is a hero that loved all of gods people. He forgave us and fought for us all, in the name of god and love! We should be so lucky to have ever been blessed by his presence! We should follow his example and fight for what we believe in! He was called to us!

  Posted by: THERRIEN | 2008-07-16 03:42:42

• harry lehotsky is a hero that loved all of gods people. He forgave us and fought for us all, in the name of god and love! We should be so lucky to have ever been blessed by his presence! We should follow his example and fight for what we believe in! He was called to us!

  Posted by: THERRIEN | 2008-07-16 03:43:36

• harry lehotsky is a hero that loved all of gods people. He forgave us and fought for us all, in the name of god and love! We should be so lucky to have ever been blessed by his presence! We should follow his example and fight for what we believe in! He was called to us!

  Posted by: THERRIEN | 2008-07-16 03:44:21

• harry lehotsky is a hero that loved all of gods people. He forgave us and fought for us all, in the name of god and love! We should be so lucky to have ever been blessed by his presence! We should follow his example and fight for what we believe in! He was called to us!

  Posted by: THERRIEN | 2008-07-16 03:45:09

• harry lehotsky is a hero that loved all of gods people. He forgave us and fought for us all, in the name of god and love! We should be so lucky to have ever been blessed by his presence! We should follow his example and fight for what we believe in! He was called to us!

  Posted by: alicea gervais | 2008-07-16 03:45:51

• Harry's life and ministry was a wonderful example for all of us. He wanted to make a difference in his life here on earth and he surely did. He loved people from all walks of life and recognized their needs, saw the potential in each one of them and tried to help so many to better their lives. Harry loved his Lord and Savior, followed His teachings and served Him and the people around him with all his heart. He lived his Faith and encouraged all of us to do the same. God blessed us with a loving, caring and wonderful son! We are so thankful for the years he was able to be with us and we do know that some day we will see him again. Praise God for this assurance!

  Posted by: Hildegard Lehotsky | 2008-07-16 19:07:09

• thank-you hildegard and walter for blessing us with harry! because of him and mona we have the lives we do thank-you

  Posted by: alicea gervais | 2008-07-17 05:25:42

• He embodied what is "right" with people. We need a few million more Harry's in this world.

  Posted by: Rod | 2008-07-20 16:08:46

• Harry Lehotsky…Uncle Harry to me. There has never been a greater example in my life of someone who practiced what they preached. He was firstly about compassion and understanding, reaching out to people in the midst of whatever misery or nightmare or addiction they were in. It wasn’t about judgment or condemnation, he was never looking down his nose, as he was quick to point out his own faults. Equally important though, was his belief that people be held accountable for the choices they made, that there actually was a choice in what was happening in their lives and not beyond their own control. But he was so much more than a church minister though, and to all the people in the ellice café, or walking the streets in this neighbourhood, they know how much more he was as they are still from time to time as achingly aware as I of his absence in these places. He was never above getting his hands dirty to see any of the church projects, God given and God driven come to fruition. In fact I think he relished being able to personally contribute, labouring under no illusions that this was all about him, but rather about having more than faith without actions. I am forever humbled and awed by his unwavering faith and devotion even in the midst of his deteriorating health and diminishing strength. Whether he was bussing tables at the café, hauling plaster out of a Lazarus project, or standing at our pulpit (a converted bar by the way-nothing was beyond saving to him :D), Uncle Harry was phenomenal, and irreplacably complete and unique in how God’s calling was lived out in his life, however short it may have been for all of us still here.

  Posted by: Lana Wonnacott | 2008-07-20 17:55:37

• Harry Lehotsky...when I met Harry my past left me feeling like I was alive but not living. I came from a past of physical, sexual, and mental abuse. Meeting Harry was one of God's greatest gifts to me. Harry had a heart and compassion for others beyond belief, beyond imagination. Those were some of the greatest gifts that God gave to Harry. He was almost able to put himself in that person's pain and hurt that when you shared about those hurts you could see in his eyes that he was there for you. It didn't matter if you told him the story once, twice or a thousand times, he listened like it was the first. And he wanted us to know so much how God was saddened by our hurt. It was amazing when I got the chance to see Harry helping others that when they were sick and in pain, he would pray with them and remind them God had a plan for them. He even made comments that he wished he could take their pain, and if not all of it at least half. Even when a man came in that said he was diagnosed with cancer, Harry said he wished he had the cancer in place of this man. Harry just had a feel and a look about him, that even the first time I saw him, even before he said a word, what crossed my mind was that he was one of Jesus' disciples. Whether he was holding a newborn baby or a small child, there's a look he had in his eyes, and even the way he passed his hand over their head or held them in his arms, it was amazing to see. If you were a youth or a young adult, he loved to play sports or do the things that they loved to do just so he could spend time with them, and be like one of them too. It didn't matter what age you were, if you were in trouble, or did something that was wrong and you came to him for help, he would not judge you, he would help you work through the situation and make it right. Whether someone was into drugs or hooking, he would remind them God loved them. He always wanted to give them hope and encouragement, that if they used their energy in the right things that they could soar beyond any limit, so that they again could have respect for themselves because of how awful they said they felt. He just loved talking to the elderly, he had so much respect for them. He was encouraged and inspired by the stories they would tell. If Harry thought someone was out there to hurt someone he would try to stand there like a shield to protect them. I've known Harry and Virginia all the years they've lived here. I worked with Harry on a daily basis. I knew about things that Harry did in his past that he told me and it reminded me of how without God we are like a caterpillar , crawling and struggling, and how Harry had changed his life and by wanting to live for God had changed into that beautiful butterfly. When I told Harry about this analogy I had, because he knew me so well, he thought it was a chance to tease me by hopping around and flapping his arms through the church and outside yelling "I'm a beautiful butterfly!" When Harry was getting sick and it was getting worse and he went to the hospital and was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he phoned to tell me this. I just felt like I had crashed and had come to one of the lowest points in my life. Harry asked of me to phone anyone I could think of and to let them know of his cancer. One of the hardest things I had to do was to keep phoning people and telling them about Harry. Through all the years that I've known Harry, he helped me deal with my past and all the monsters even when I felt not even good enough to clean the church, he reminded me I was important to God and that God had a purpose for me and everyone and that we do our best and that's all God asks of us. When Harry left us and went home to be with God, I felt such a sadness and emptiness because he wasn't here. Things just felt empty and where else can you go to see someone flapping their arms like a butterfly? Each day I struggle with trying to do my work and keep busy and a lot of days I feel like I'm not the best for the things I am doing. Harry and I shared an office which I sit in on a daily basis, knowing that the job I have is because Harry saw something in me that God allowed him to see. So with each passing day I work harder at doing the things that I used to do and try to be better than what I was before to honour God and to remember all the things that Harry taught me even though it would be easier to just turn around and run. And I'm so thankful that God has given all of us through Harry, a glimpse of Himself. There are so many stories and memories of Harry that will keep encouraging me through the rest of my life to do the best that I can. Thank-you so much Harry for loving God the way you did. It is good to know you are home now and not hurting and I will always miss you. Harry was and is my best friend. Mona

  Posted by: Mona Wonnacott | 2008-07-20 19:54:19

• Harry Lehotsky gave of himself like no other. He was a true believer, a compassionate and caring person to all people. Harry believed there was good in all humanity and he did his best to help those in need. He lived his life in Winnipeg as a strong follower of Jesus. Harry Lehotsky deserves to be recognized as the greatest Manitoban.

  Posted by: Sheila | 2008-07-20 21:05:12

• Harry Lehotsky deserves to be recognized as the greatest Manitoban. He gave love, hope and help to those in need in the inner city. We need more folks to step to the plate and carry on his legacy.

  Posted by: Henry | 2008-07-20 21:45:46

• Harry was a true believer in mankind. He was there for everyone in this city not only those that lived near him. He truly believed that everyone deserved a second chance no matter their situation. He gave hope to those who felt they had no more hope and he showed them that God was there for them always. He was always friendly to everyone he met and he always took the time to talk with everyone. Harry deserves to be the greatest Manitoban.

  Posted by: Cecile Bosard | 2008-07-21 01:35:39

• Since Harry is gone you see the difference that is going on in the area. The change is very noticable.When he was alive you knew he was doing business.Now the area looks like before he got there.It is not beatiful anymore. I miss Harry. I'm sure he would be disappointed how it was going. Keep flapping those wings.

  Posted by: Val | 2008-07-22 01:18:32

• Harry. No one else had shown me in a more practical way what "love your neighbour" meant. He walked his talk. I was blessed with a fine example in this friend regarding how we live, serve our creator, and eventually how we face death. Missed by mnay above, Harry was humble, but you had to know him to recognize that trait. Nothing was "his", no project or aspiration was "his, rather they were all "His" for "His" glory. "Do you love me? Feed my sheep" were the words that pushed Harry when things were tough and it appeared the fight was fruitless. Harry=Friend

  Posted by: Ralph Mueller | 2008-08-18 13:45:45

• Harry Lehotsky deserves the title of Greatest Manitoban. He was compassionate, worked for social change and made people feel both empowered and accountable for their actions, both physical and spiritual. Harry set the bar for what the church COULD and SHOULD be. He led his flock by example and walked the walk. Whereas most people are great speakers, Harry was a great Do-er. He has been instrumental in reviving an ailing neighbourhood and he has taught so many people what the true nature of God's love and compassion is.

  Posted by: Ricardo Martinez | 2008-11-12 18:49:18

Post Your Comment

Advertisement

Advertisement