Archie Trapp November 7, 1918 - August 2, 2007

Today in Selkirk, I joined family and friends to celebrate the life of Archie Trapp.

A life-long Liberal, I first got to know Archie Trapp about 25 years ago, and have appreciated his ideas, his wisdom, his insight and his initiative on many, many occasions since then. In the years since I became the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, Archie was a friend and guide.

Archie Trapp served as the Liberal-Progressive member of the Manitoba Legislature from June 16, 1958 to May 14, 1959. He knew the area he represented very well and had served as the Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Brokenhead from 1952-1958. Archie was born in Brokenhead, Manitoba and grew up and went to school in the area.

After his term at MLA, Archie served as a Community Development Officer for the Department of Indian Affairs in Pukatawagan and in Grand Rapids and was Manager of the Thompson Office. After he retired he owned and operated the Cochrane River Fishing Lodge in northern Manitoba, and then later he volunteered with the Canadian Executive Service Organization to provide knowledge and assistance to many First Nations communities in Manitoba. He remained very concerned and committed to improve the quality of life for those who lived in Manitoba's north.

An avid outdoorsman, Archie liked hunting, fishing and berry picking. On one occasion, when he was berry picking, a bear decided to pick the same patch. Archie yelled and waved his arms to indicate that he was picking this patch. The bear left. Only later, when the bear returned, did Archie decide to leave the rest of the berries to the bear.

My condolences to family and friends of Archie Trapp.