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Dr. Harvey Hassard Memorial Bursary Fund
Dr. Harvey Jason Hassard (1878- 1939)
Harvey Hassard was born in Peel County, Ontario in June 1878. He was the son of Thomas Hassard, Superintendent of Mimico Industrial School. In 1903, he married a very charming and artistic girl, Helena Rose (Tena) West, from Chatham, Ontario and in 1912 their only son, Jack Jason Hassard, was born.
Harvey was educated at Streetsville Public School, Parkdale Collegiate and the University of Toronto. After graduating from medical school in 1901, he came to Manitoba and set up his practice at Sidney where they lived for eleven years. In 1911, they moved to Portage la Prairie where he practiced continuously, specializing in surgery. He held memberships in Canadian and Manitoba Medical Associations. He was old fashioned doctor who loved his community and was very interested in the welfare of his patients.
Dr. Hassard traveled much. In 1911, he was a member of the party that made the first treaty with Creek and Chipawayan Indians. The party traveled 2500 miles by canoe to York Factory, Behrens River and Fort Churchill.
Agriculture was one of Dr. Hassard’s keen interests and it was said that he had one of the finest farms on the Portage Plains. The one and three-quarters section farm was located in the Bagot area.
Dr. Hassard was an avid sportsman with memberships to the Portage Gulf Club and the Portage Curling Club. He was also involved in rifle-shooting and was a member of the Kiwanis Club.
The life of a country doctor was very demanding. On his final day in 1939, he carried out his usual daily duties which included surgery, and that evening he passes away; he was 61 years of age.