Winnipeg Police Board member Larry Licharson dies

A Winnipeg businessman named to the city's police board last year has died.

Larry Licharson's obituary appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press on Friday. The 68-year-old died on Wednesday, according to the obituary.

Licharsonwas a prominantbusiness owner and active volunteer board member in Winnipeg. Heowned and managed the Winnipeg-based advertising firmHRAdworks, as well as MediaAdworksand thereal estate management and investment companySherburnInc., according to his biography on the City of Winnipeg website.

Licharson's appointment to the police board in July 2016 wascontroversial at the time.

He and former Conservative candidate Allie Szarkiewicz replaced twowomen on the board who had both advocated for inner-city communities Leslie Spillett, a Cree activist and head of Ka Ni Kanichihk in Winnipeg, and retired school principal Angeline Ramkissoon.

NDP leadership candidate Wab Kinew said at the time the loss of an Indigenous voice on the boardwas a step backwardfor the Winnipeg Police Board.

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Along with being a business leader, Licharson served on boards for a range ofcharities and nonprofits, includingBig Brothers and Sisters of Canada, Manitoba Theatre for Young People and Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre.

Funeral arrangements for Licharson are still being finalized, hisobituary said.

The cause of death was not stated.