Neepawa's 14th running of the Lily Festival began with tears on Friday after the passing of festival founder Barrie Strohman.

Strohman succumbed to cancer. He was 79.

Known as the Lily King, Strohman was the driving force behind the movement which would eventually land Neepawa on the international scene and proclaimed the Lily Capital of the World.

"We heard the news first thing Friday morning. It was hard for the committee to handle," Audrey Heffell, committee organizer said.

“His wish was for the festival to carry on. Tours did continue to go out to the Lily Nook, just as he wanted. We had a moment of silence at the opening ceremonies. It's so ironic that he passed away during the festival."
Strohman's son, Nigel, remembers his father as the best lily public relations man one could ever ask for.

"He was outgoing, shared his knowledge with everyone. Many people came up to me during the tours and said how much they will miss him and how they enjoyed speaking with him," Nigel said.

Strohman was diagnosed with aggressive form of cancer in June.
“It is such a shock how this cancer came over him so quickly," Nigel said.
Despite severe pain, Nigel said pharmacist Kevin Harris helped keep Strohman active right up until his final days.
"He was out faxing orders with us and planting bulbs. He was even out looking at his seedlings... when we were able to keep him at home.”



“There was only one day that he was bed ridden, and that was the Thursday before he passed," Nigel said.

Even though the tours were hard, Nigel noted that is was a tribute to his father.
"These lilies and what he has done brings smiles to people's faces. He was definitely a hard worker, he had a great work ethic. He could outwork me.
"He never said a negative comment about anyone, he was the kindest man."
Strohman, who founded the Lily Nook in 1990 along with his son Nigel and wife Joyce, filled more than 2,000 lily orders a year. The business grew and the festival which he founded now attracts more than 10,000 people to the Neepawa area in July and August.

“Barrie always said, ‘someday we'll be the world lily capital,'” his friend Ivan Traill said. “He never thought small. He said this 16 or 17 years before the Lily Festival ever began.”

A funeral service will be held on Friday July 30 at 3 p.m. at the Legion Hall. Everybody is welcome to express their condolences. A private family graveside service will follow.


“There was only one day that he was bed ridden, and that was the Thursday before he passed," Nigel said.

Even though the tours were hard, Nigel noted that is was a tribute to his father.
"These lilies and what he has done brings smiles to people's faces. He was definitely a hard worker, he had a great work ethic. He could outwork me.
"He never said a negative comment about anyone, he was the kindest man."
Strohman, who founded the Lily Nook in 1990 along with his son Nigel and wife Joyce, filled more than 2,000 lily orders a year. The business grew and the festival which he founded now attracts more than 10,000 people to the Neepawa area in July and August.

“Barrie always said, ‘someday we'll be the world lily capital,'” his friend Ivan Traill said. “He never thought small. He said this 16 or 17 years before the Lily Festival ever began.”

A funeral service will be held on Friday July 30 at 3 p.m. at the Legion Hall. Everybody is welcome to express their condolences. A private family graveside service will follow.