My name is Leeann Froese. I have been Harry
McWatters’ publicist since 1999 (with a break
from 2010-14).
It is with a heavy heart I share that on July 23, 2019, at
age 74, Harry McWatters passed away. He died peacefully in
his sleep.
McWatters is survived by his soulmate and life partner
Lisa Lalonde; his first wife, Cathie McWatters, who he was with
for more than 40 years, and their two children, Christa-Lee
and Darrien McWatters; and Darrien’s children Brendan and
Connor McWatters.
A celebration of McWatters’ life was held on Friday,
Aug. 9, 2019, at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, at 1:30 p.m.
In McWatters’ honour, donations can be made to the BC
Hospitality Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
I, my husband Andrew, and our team at Town Hall Brands
send our condolences and greatest sympathies to the entire
family, the staff at the wineries, and to all of McWatters’ friends,
colleagues and supporters.
Reflecting
It is my privilege to be discussing Harry McWatters’ amazing
life. He has left an unbelievable legacy. We are all the richer from
his many contributions, and the extensive and profound impact
he has had on his province, community and industry.
To say that Harry McWatters is a legend in the
Canadian wine industry would be an understate-ment.
McWatters, who celebrated his 51
vintage in 2018, is widely considered
to be the foundation of the B.C.
wine industry, the ‘grand-father’
of B.C. wine, a
tireless industry
leader in mov-ing
quality wine
growing and
winemaking
I N M E M O R I U M
Reflecting on the Life of
B.C. Wine Legend
Harry McWatters
By Leanne Froese, Town Hall Brands
Courtesy of Chris Stenberg
FALL 2019 § POURED CANADA § 49