Joseph Sinclair “Sinc” Harrison
May 31, 1944 – August 28, 2025
As published in the September 8, 2025 World-Spectator
Joseph Sinclair Harrison was born in the Orangeville District near Moosomin, Saskatchewan, the only son and second of four children for Joseph and Lillian Harrison.
Dad’s love for the family farm and the community of Moosomin were planted in him at the start. He completed a degree in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan in 1967 but did not aspire to return home and farm until his dad passed away in 1968, leaving his mom and two younger sisters still at home. So the direction this adventurous young man may have taken turned, placing him in positions over the years that shaped his community, and our province for the better.
Dad’s accomplishments and involvements were extensive; too many to possibly mention them all. RM council and Reeve of the RM of Moosomin, Tractor Pull Chair, Board of Moosomin Union Hospital, Moosomin Credit Union and United Church Sunday School, SARM board member and President, and through that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and RM Administrators Association; First Nations Treaty Land Entitlements Committee, establishment of the Red Lily Wind Farm, creation of the Farmer Rail Car Coalition, Hudson Bay Route Association (promoting grain movement through the Port of Churchill, Manitoba), Action Committee on Rural Economy (ACRE), chair of the Trans Canada Trail, and the Highway Traffic Board.
Dad was recognized with many awards. He received the Nuffield Scholarship in 1984 and spent six months studying agriculture in Australia and New Zealand, making connections with other Nuffield scholars from all over the globe. In 2009 he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame. He received the QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2016, the Governor General’s Volunteer Medal in 2017, and the King Charles Coronation Medal in 2024.
Through all of this Sinc made many life-long friends. He believed in fun and laughter, and celebrations filled the farm, conference rooms, and hotels. Dad knew how to be present with others, to really get to know you, and to care about you and your family. He took the time to call, to drive or travel, to make the plan to get together. If we discussed an idea for a trip, or heaven forbid a reunion, he was on the phone, looking at flights and hotels, making a list of who we needed to call. Skating and skidoo parties, bonfires, Grey Cup, kids’ sporting events and activities, and especially birthdays, Dad was all in, and he loved every minute of it.
Dad would tell you that his greatest accomplishment was his family. Sinclair met Gail, a young single mother with four pre-school aged children (Duncan, Robin, Tami and Stacie), in the early 1970s and according to both mom and dad, he “pursued her tenaciously.” Dad was not known for taking “no” for an answer, and in March of 1975 married mom and brought us all out to live on the farm. Paula came along in 1976, and from then on we were his “five kids.” He was proud of each of us, and loved to share with anyone what we were doing, and how our own families had grown. He wore the title “Papa” like a crown, adding 15 grandchildren, and to date 12 great-grandchildren to our family tree. Dad was cheerleader to all, wanting to stay on top of events in their lives so that he could share with his friends all of the amazing things his grandchildren were up to.
Mom and Dad sold the farm in 2020 and moved to the Williston in Regina, once again making many friends and joining in on all of the festivities. This new home embraced Dad when we lost Mom in November of 2023, making sure his last year and a half was filled with laughter, joy and friendship.
Sinc lived for his community. He engaged in every space he could and made his mark on the province he loved. But for Dad, family was everything. If you were his friend, you were family. And chances are, if you worked with dad in any capacity over the last 60-plus years, you were his friend, and he loved you.
Sinclair is survived by his sister Carol (Ken) Halvorson, his sister-in-law Jane Riddell, as well as his five children and their families:
Duncan (Joyce) Harrison, their children Mark (Megan), Lindsay (Cole) and Jennifer (Brayden).
Robin (Ken) Brough, her children and grandchildren Evan (Melanie) and Karina; Christopher (Cheryl), Victor and Iris; Nadja (Jacob) and Theodore.
Tami (Terry) Weber, her children and grandchildren Kyle (Danelle), Bailey, Felix and Maisie; Hillary (Marcus), Adally, Octavia, Tobias, Rosalie and Valerie. Stacie (Rob) Donovan, their children Brayden, Brando, Brynn, Braila and Brielle. Paula (Carlin) Potter, their children Zachary and Caleb
A celebration of Dad’s life will be held on Saturday September 13 at 5 pm at the Conexus Centre of the Arts—a Happy Hour style gathering of stories and laughter.
In lieu of flowers please consider donation to:
Hospitals of Regina Foundation, Palliative Care Music Therapy Program
https://www.hrf.sk.ca/Ways-to-Give
(select Palliative Care from “Designate” drop down menu; check “Dedicate” to add Sinc Harrison)
Moosomin Day Care Project Box 1055, Moosomin, SK S0G3N0.
Etransfer: buildplayfairdaycare@gmail.com
Note in memory of Sinc Harrison
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