Obituary for Reginald Stuart Harris
Harris, Reginald Stuart
Passed away at his home in Wasaga Beach on Saturday March 5, 2022, He was born April 18, 1936 in Belleoram, Newfoundland to parents Reginald and Winnifred (Rose) Harris.
He is predeceased by his sisters, Bessie, Effie and Gwendolyn, and brother Harvey. Survived by his daughters Debbie (Garth), Carolyn (Ted) and brother Eric (Doris).
To his immediate family he was Stu and Uncle Stu to his adoring nephews and nieces. To Garth he was Reg and to his many friends Reggie as he enjoyed being called. But to this loving daughter he was always Dad, with that wonderful twinkle in his eye.
At age 6, Dad's family moved to Burin after his father accepted the position of Postmaster. He spent his formative years there and he loved telling stories about his Burin adventures. It seemed there was nothing he and his friends wouldn't do for a bit of good fun. Including rowing on ice flows, hunting for treasures in the harbour and on one occasion, lighting off the old cannon on the hill overlooking Burin. Dad would cry with laughter each time he told that story!
Around the age of 15, Dad was the only one of his siblings still at home. Two of his sisters passed away at a young age, Effie dying of tuberculous in the sanitorium and Gwendolyn passing away at home. Eric and Harvey had moved to Ontario to find work and Bessie was now married and residing with her family in Cornerbrook.
It was at this time that both his parents contracted TB and were moved to the sanitorium. With his father no longer able to be Postmaster and losing their home, Dad went to live with Bessie in Cornerbrook while their parents recovered.
At the age of 18 he traveled to Ontario to join his parents. On the day he left Newfoundland he left a big part of himself behind, yet he embraced the change with a sense of adventure as he did each move in his life.
On July 29, 1961 Reg married Frances Ralph and together they raised their two children Carolyn and Debbie. It was his growing family that prompted Dad to apply for a position with Air Canada. The pay was good, allowing him to better support his family. He was hired the same day as his interview and just loved his time there, making life long friends, and it enabled him to travel back to NL often with his family. After 27 years of travels and memories, Frances and Reg went their separate ways.
Dad remarried in 1991 to Nancy Mills. They moved on two occasions before settling in Wasaga Beach in 2013. This was much to my delight that Dad was going to be living closer to me. It was also a great move for both of them as the adult community they lived in allowed them to enjoy dances up at the hall and become active participants in the dart league. They resided there for four years before they separated in 2017.
Following his separation he continued to reside in his home enjoying live music, sitting in the sun on his front porch chatting with the neighbours and traveling to visit with family and friends.
Dad enjoyed helping us with the renovations of an accessory building at our house that we fondly call The Barn. Thanks to good friends we had a wood stove installed, much to Dad's delight. Over time the floor became level, the walls and ceilings insulated and Dad gradually brought over a lot of his tools. The Barn became the workshop and a place where we all enjoyed a whisky in front of the stove, dinners looking out at Blue Mountain, listening to Dad share memories, and creating so many wonderful memories together.
At the start of COVID, Dad was diagnosed with a blood cancer. His doctor explained there wasn't a cure, but treatment would give him more time.
Despite his health issues, Dad rarely complained. Not even through the many transfusions of blood and monthly treatments. Entering RVH staff would yell over hello Reg! Everyone seemed to know him well and he knew them, often creating greeting cards for members of his care team, or purchasing coffee for our favourite parking attendant.
Despite his cancer he kept on moving. He started building bird houses and moved on to creating lighthouses. He enjoyed laughs, and jigs dinners with friends, purchased 50/50 hospital and hospice tickets faithfully, and planned for when he could return to Newfoundland.
Garth and I want to thank everyone who cared for Dad. Dr. Gerrard and the amazing team at RVH Cancer Centre, his family doctor, Dr. Alyssa Boyd, the caring staff from St. Elizabeth's and the Collingwood G&M, Simcoe County Paramedics, and his family, friends and neighbours who supported him, and us, along this journey.
As per his wishes, Dad has been cremated. His ashes will be interred with his sisters Effie and Gwendolyn in Burin, NL.
A celebration of life will be held on his birthday. In lieu of flowers please consider donating blood if you are able, or supporting RVH Cancer Centre, Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation or the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation.
Most importantly, hug your family because time with them is never time enough.
Passed away at his home in Wasaga Beach on Saturday March 5, 2022, He was born April 18, 1936 in Belleoram, Newfoundland to parents Reginald and Winnifred (Rose) Harris.
He is predeceased by his sisters, Bessie, Effie and Gwendolyn, and brother Harvey. Survived by his daughters Debbie (Garth), Carolyn (Ted) and brother Eric (Doris).
To his immediate family he was Stu and Uncle Stu to his adoring nephews and nieces. To Garth he was Reg and to his many friends Reggie as he enjoyed being called. But to this loving daughter he was always Dad, with that wonderful twinkle in his eye.
At age 6, Dad's family moved to Burin after his father accepted the position of Postmaster. He spent his formative years there and he loved telling stories about his Burin adventures. It seemed there was nothing he and his friends wouldn't do for a bit of good fun. Including rowing on ice flows, hunting for treasures in the harbour and on one occasion, lighting off the old cannon on the hill overlooking Burin. Dad would cry with laughter each time he told that story!
Around the age of 15, Dad was the only one of his siblings still at home. Two of his sisters passed away at a young age, Effie dying of tuberculous in the sanitorium and Gwendolyn passing away at home. Eric and Harvey had moved to Ontario to find work and Bessie was now married and residing with her family in Cornerbrook.
It was at this time that both his parents contracted TB and were moved to the sanitorium. With his father no longer able to be Postmaster and losing their home, Dad went to live with Bessie in Cornerbrook while their parents recovered.
At the age of 18 he traveled to Ontario to join his parents. On the day he left Newfoundland he left a big part of himself behind, yet he embraced the change with a sense of adventure as he did each move in his life.
On July 29, 1961 Reg married Frances Ralph and together they raised their two children Carolyn and Debbie. It was his growing family that prompted Dad to apply for a position with Air Canada. The pay was good, allowing him to better support his family. He was hired the same day as his interview and just loved his time there, making life long friends, and it enabled him to travel back to NL often with his family. After 27 years of travels and memories, Frances and Reg went their separate ways.
Dad remarried in 1991 to Nancy Mills. They moved on two occasions before settling in Wasaga Beach in 2013. This was much to my delight that Dad was going to be living closer to me. It was also a great move for both of them as the adult community they lived in allowed them to enjoy dances up at the hall and become active participants in the dart league. They resided there for four years before they separated in 2017.
Following his separation he continued to reside in his home enjoying live music, sitting in the sun on his front porch chatting with the neighbours and traveling to visit with family and friends.
Dad enjoyed helping us with the renovations of an accessory building at our house that we fondly call The Barn. Thanks to good friends we had a wood stove installed, much to Dad's delight. Over time the floor became level, the walls and ceilings insulated and Dad gradually brought over a lot of his tools. The Barn became the workshop and a place where we all enjoyed a whisky in front of the stove, dinners looking out at Blue Mountain, listening to Dad share memories, and creating so many wonderful memories together.
At the start of COVID, Dad was diagnosed with a blood cancer. His doctor explained there wasn't a cure, but treatment would give him more time.
Despite his health issues, Dad rarely complained. Not even through the many transfusions of blood and monthly treatments. Entering RVH staff would yell over hello Reg! Everyone seemed to know him well and he knew them, often creating greeting cards for members of his care team, or purchasing coffee for our favourite parking attendant.
Despite his cancer he kept on moving. He started building bird houses and moved on to creating lighthouses. He enjoyed laughs, and jigs dinners with friends, purchased 50/50 hospital and hospice tickets faithfully, and planned for when he could return to Newfoundland.
Garth and I want to thank everyone who cared for Dad. Dr. Gerrard and the amazing team at RVH Cancer Centre, his family doctor, Dr. Alyssa Boyd, the caring staff from St. Elizabeth's and the Collingwood G&M, Simcoe County Paramedics, and his family, friends and neighbours who supported him, and us, along this journey.
As per his wishes, Dad has been cremated. His ashes will be interred with his sisters Effie and Gwendolyn in Burin, NL.
A celebration of life will be held on his birthday. In lieu of flowers please consider donating blood if you are able, or supporting RVH Cancer Centre, Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation or the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation.
Most importantly, hug your family because time with them is never time enough.