CEO, philanthropist Doug Harvey has died

Doug Harvey, a Winnipeg business titan and philanthropist, has died after battling cancer for more than a decade.

Harvey gave millions of dollars to Winnipeg organizations while he was CEO of DLH Group, a nationwide network of businesses that support heavy duty truck and trailer users.

Loren Remillard, CEO and president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said the business community is mourning the loss of the influential businessman who helped shape Winnipeg.

“We are a transportation and logistics hub in Winnipeg and it was partly the result of geography, and a big part because of leaders and visionaries like Doug Harvey,” he said.

Remillard said Harvey saw the natural potential present in Winnipeg and said “this is how we’re going to seize the opportunity.”

“He did more than just build a transportation and logistics hub, he demonstrated how businesses should think and be successful,” Remillard said, adding that Harvey was incredibly humble.

In terms of philanthropy, Vince Barletta, president and CEO of Harvest Manitoba, said it’s not an overstatement to say the 72-year-old helped tens of thousands of Manitobans through his contributions, calling him “unique” and “one of a kind.”

“People are sharing stories about Doug and the big heart he had,” said Barletta. “Not just what he gave, and not just what he built in business, but how he encouraged others to give and open their hearts and their wallets to causes in the community.”

Barletta said the Harvey family helped the organization feed the hungry, provide training to youth and make sure babies have formula.

“I’ll miss our conversations,” Barletta said. “I’ll miss the frank advice — the honest advice — and care. He was tough, but he had an incredible heart, and smarts and he looked for the best in everyone. And he always did it with a smile, a joke and a laugh and I’ll remember that.”

Remillard said Harvey used his prosperity to help others.

“He was a role model for business beyond the corporate table,” he said. “When I speak to many of the business leaders in this community, when Doug’s name comes up, everyone has a story.”

In an interview with the Free Press in June, Harvey said he was about to enter palliative care after a battle with prostate cancer that had lasted more than a decade.

After learning his life was coming to an end, he told the Free Press he wanted to do something for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, which he cared dearly about. He had served on its board for more than 15 years, including five years as chairperson, pledging to raise $1 million for the organization.

In the end, he almost doubled his goal by raising $1.87 million for the Challenge For Life event.

Harvey was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Aug. 24, 2014, just one month before beginning his tenure as board chair at CancerCare. He stepped down from the role in 2020.

“I’ve been very open through my journey, because I think that’s one thing that I can bring,” he told the Free Press from his cottage at Lake of the Woods back in June. “I have never hidden behind this; it isn’t something to be ashamed of.”

“My favourite line that CancerCare has is, ‘More tomorrows together,’ so to me that’s the key,” he said.

“We’re not going to cure cancer in my lifetime, but if I can have more time with my beautiful wife, my kids, my grandkids and my friends, that’s a big win for me, and it’s a big win for everybody that we fight through this thing together.”

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city has lost a “great community builder.”

“Doug was a proud Winnipeg booster and a highly successful business leader who built companies, created jobs and contributed significantly to our city’s economy. But what stands out just as much is what he did with that success. He cared deeply about Winnipeg and showed it through years of generous support for countless non-profit organizations, community boards and major fundraising campaigns,” Gillingham wrote in a statement.

The mayor said he attended the event in which Harvey was inducted into the Manitoba Business Hall of Fame in 2022 and was “struck by his humour and by how often he credited his family and his staff for his success.”

“I left that evening feeling grateful that Winnipeg had people like Doug Harvey — people who succeed, give back and use their good fortune to help make their community stronger.”

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca