CALGARY, ALTA (March 25, 2011) - Alpine Canada Alpin is sad to announce that former Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team member, William Charles Harriott, died on March 21, 2011 in Calgary, Alta., of a sudden heart attack.
Harriott, born on July 4, 1958 in Windsor, Ont., raced on the team from 1986 to 2003 as an arm amputee and then as Christopher Williamson's guide.
Harriott is a seven-time Paralympian, winning the gold medal in slalom at the Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City as Williamson's guide.
Harriott was on the team for more than 15 years and skied alongside current athletes such as Markham, Ont., based Williamson and Karolina Wisniewska, of Ottawa, Ont.
"As an arm amputee Bill said he would not retire until another Canadian arm amputee could beat him," said Wisniewska. "No one ever could and so he was fond of pointing out that he has been on the team longer than Lauren [Woolstencroft] has been alive.
"Finally, Ian Balfour beat him, but it was a long time in the making. There is no doubt that he is one of the legends of para-alpine skiing in Canada."
He left behind his loving wife Renee and children Devon and Melissa, sister Deb and brother John.
Visitation at Leydens Funeral Home (corner of 17 Avenue and 2 Street S.W., Calgary, Alta.,) will take place Sunday, March 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. with a funeral service to be held on Monday, March 28 at 11 a.m.
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INFORMATION:
Sophie Pilon
Coordinator, PR and Media / Coordonnatrice, relations publiques et media
Alpine Canada Alpin
#153, 401 - 9th Avenue SW | Calgary | AB | T2P 3C5
T: (403) 777-3650
spilon@canski.org
