Harold Julian Gascoyne Garrish
Harold Julian Gascoyne Garrish
December 7, 1916 – January 6, 2010
Harold was survived by his two sons Donald Garrish and Gregory Garrish of Kamloops, daughters Rebecca Dell of Kamloops and Julie-Ann (Grant) Laird of Fernie, three grandchildren Kendra Dell, Kirt Dell and Peter Laird, one great granddaughter Bailey Jo Nelson, nephews Harold Hoodless and David Hoodless and their families. Harold was predeceased by his infant daughter Barbara in 1950, wife of 35 years Johanna Sigurbjorg (Johannson) in 1984, sister Rebecca Hoodless in 2002 and his oldest grandson Gordon Julian Laird in 2003.
Harold arrived in Kamloops in 1924 with this parents and sister at age 7 after a short stay in England. His father Julian and mother Lilian established Garrish Furniture where he worked helping his father while growing up. Many old time Kamloops families still have prized antique furniture purchased at the store. He had a keen interest in sailing and the outdoors becoming a ski instructor at the old Kamloops Ski Hill and a lifetime member of the Kamloops Outdoor Club where he helped establish cabins on Rose Hill and then later at Heffley Lake. The highlights of many summers were the alpine hikes to many mountaintops. As a teenager he would stoke the boilers in the paddle wheelers going up the Thompson River to the Shuswap to load wood for the winter.
During WWII he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force across Canada and then returned to Kamloops to settle down thinking he would pursue his woodworking skills and become a carpenter. Shortly after returning he met his wife Johanna and they ended up building the family home overlooking Peterson Creek where he lived for more than 50 years. He worked for the Provincial Government Land Title Office as the Deputy Registrar and retired after 35 years. In 1986 he returned to the Shuswap to help his twin sons build the “cabin” while taking the summers off to sail his Swiftsure and Laser sailboats with friends and family.
Harold sang in the Kamloops United Church Choir for more than 70 years and had a special voice for all those tenor pieces he sang. From 1925 through to the early 1960’s he was heavily involved in Scouting & Cubs. He became the Scout Master of the 3rd Kamloops Scout Troup, which led him to meet Lord Baden Powell on his world tour.
Skiing was his wintertime sport and in the earlier days he was easily recognizable by his knickers ski pants and yodeling. In his later years he would ski with the group of guys know as the Italian Ski Team. He retired from the skiing after his 85 birthday. At 88 he stopped riding his mountain bike but would still venture out to Copper Island hoping to see the deer or take a walk into Peterson Creek Park beside his Kamloops home.
Thank you must go out to many people including Veteran Affairs for all their support and guidance, Ridgeview Lodge staff for the care received the past 8 months, his many Shuswap lake friends who would greet him on his walks, the Ladyman family who would come and sing to him at Christmas, make snow angles in his yard and walk him home down the lane with his dog Skipper, Jeannette and Dale Cassell who always had their door open for him, his KUC choir friends who provided fellowship, Roy Simmonds who would make sure he got to church, the many High Country homecare workers, his ski season student nurse’s including Mark Biagioni who would and keep him company and provide a young persons perspective on world events, his many KOC friends particularly Jack & Iris Robinson and Barbara and the late Jack Gregson, Barb Hollingshead, Kay Gienow and the very special LeSueur, Kals and Joyce families to name a few.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Thompson Rivers University Foundation in Harold’s name to help support a nursing student.
A Celebration of Harold’s life will be held at the Kamloops United Church, 421 St.Paul Street, Kamloops, B.C. at 2:00 PM on Thursday January 14, 2010.
Dear Julie, Becky, Greg and Donald. I am in Arizona spending the winter with Viki. Robyn called today to tell us of Harold’s passing and I want you to know we are thinking about you at this time. Harold and Jo and you, their family, were a huge part of our lives in Kamloops and we have lots of great memories. Early days at the Kamloops Ski Hill, Outdoor Club, Christmas together, visits to Auntie Jo at the drug store and so much more. Sending our love! “Auntie” Gwen, Viki and Jack.
Dear Julie, Becky, Greg and Don. Our condolences to all of you at this difficult time.
Gerrit & Ellen
Dear Garrish family:
The membership of the Kamloops Outdoor Club, especially all those of the early years, who knew Harold, wish to express our heatfelt sympathy at this time.
Harold was an early member right at the beginning when Jack Gregson founded the club in 1936 along with the very first few members. We, the current members that really did not get to hike and ski with Harold, are very aware that he helped build the current and beautiful club cabin at Big Heffley Lake, which to this day enchants many members both in winter and summer for the peaceful retreat that is is. We still revere the early accomplishments of our club founders for what they achieved with equipment and clothing of those years.
We mourn the passing of Harold, and we shall always be grateful to the early club members who got us all started in fellowship and fitness in the great outdoors.
A few years ago our club calendar published a great ‘historic’ photo of Harold when he and Jack Gregson were each playing a mouthorgan for a Christmas party get-together and traditional dinner at the cabin. They had so much fun there. Harold was also published and commemorated in a special issue calendar for the occasion of the 70th club anniversary. There were many most interesting sepia photos of these young guys and gals, climbing, hiking, skiing together.
Please, accept our condolences at this time of your loss.
Sigi White (treasurer / membership)
The Kamloops Outdoor Club
Dear Julie,Becky,Don and Greg,
Very sorry to hear that Uncle Harold has left us.
We should all be so lucky to live such a long and full life as he did.
My thoughts are with you all.
Patricia (Patti)
Garrish Family – Our condolences on your dad’s passing. We remember with warmth the life and laughter he brought to the badminton court. We should all try to leave the many great memories he left with so many. I’m sure, Don and Greg, that when you skied the memorial runs for your Dad last week that you did so with thankfulness for such a memorable life.
Dear Don,Greg,Julie,and Becky. We are very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Uncle Harold lived a very full and long life that was filled with love and support by his family and friends. Our hearts and thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time. Diane, Rick and Trevor Shamro
Dear Don, Greg, Julie & Becky,
We were very sorry to hear the news of your dad’s passing. He certainly led an active & colorful life – should we all be so fortunate. It was great to meet him again after many years at the family reunion in Penticton back in 2003. May the many wonderful memories you have, help you through this difficult time. Paul, Janice, Andrew & Holly
Dear Becky,
We were very sorry hear the passing of your father (Harold), he was such a sweet man. It sounds like he lived a very full life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Victor and Maria
Will cherish the memories of singing with Harold in the choir at KUC. He was on key, ready to sing, and always had a special twinkle in his eyes when he was about to quip about some portion of the piece we were to sing. A great man, the choir in heaven is now blessed.
Dear Julie, I was saddened to read of your Dad’s passing in this morning’s paper but heartened to learn of the long and rich life he led. I still have such fond memories of both your parents – they were always involved with us as kids and church activities. They were so kind to so many children. Deepest sympathy, Jo-Anne Portman
Dear Don, Greg and family,
I would like to say it was a great privilege to have known your Dad. My thoughts and sympathy are with ll of you at this time.
Sincerely, Ellen Tros
We respectfully acknowledge the passing of Harold Garrish, affectionately known to us as “Mr. G”. We have known him through his children for over twenty years and by all accounts he led a great life. He was fortunate to have had good health as well as the love and support of his family for all of his years. He was a kind and friendly man, and we always enjoyed our visits to the Shuswap where his story telling of past tales and keen wit were always shared with us. As a skiing family, we felt privileged to have skied with Mr. G, even if it was on the 5-Mile run. We should all be so lucky to become a skiing octogenarian like Mr. G was. For the surviving family members we hope for health and happiness and may we remember what a special man Harold was.
Our condolences,sorry we will not be able to express in person our sympathy at this time of grief. We know your Father will be missed by all who had the priviledge of knowing him. Our special thoughts and prayers are with you, Betty and Edson.
Dear Don and Greg and family,
We were very sad to hear that Harold died. What a great life he had. I didn’t realize how adventurous! I wish I could still be skiing when I turn 85! I wish I could bike to age 88 as well! Dave and I remember when we visited you guys at the lake when Sarah and Emma were about 9 and 7 years old and we all went biking together and Harold was getting fed up with having to wait for the girls so much and all their stops and I can’t remember what we needed at the store but your dad just wanted to keep on going! We laugh at those memories. We know this ia a difficult time but may the fond memories keep you going as well! With lots of love, Cathy, Dave, Sarah and Emma.
Greg and Don,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You have our deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,
Brian & Faye
Don and Greg:
I’m thinking of Harold today, as I have many times in the past and will many times in the future. What comes to me today is how many wonderful characteristics he exemplified during the time I knew him:
- patience with all the people around him, and in his craftsmanship to build beautiful things
- courage and grace to accept the things he couldn’t change
- kindness, always being so considerate of others
- a sense of humour, the kind where you sometimes had to look him in the face to see if he was teasing
- daring and athleticism, especially when hearing all the fabulous and often funny stories about his skiing, hiking and sailing adventures.
And of course I will always remember that huge smile on his face and how comfortable he looked behind the wheel of my Miata!
Thank you Harold for being a wonderful friend and mentor.
Love, Peggy
Dear Don and family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. You did so much for your Dad and spent alot of time with him during his life so you will have alot of fond memories.Your Dad was very proud of you and your brother Gregory. My deepest condolonces to you and your family during this sorrowful time. Carol Frederick
Dear Garrish family – my sincere condolences for the loss of your father Harold. Our thoughts are with you. He was a great mentor to us all, if we all live a long and full life as he did we will be truly blessed.
Ian McLaren – McSporties Sun Peaks
Dear Don, Greg, Becky and Julie and grandkids,
I was fortunate enough to catch a flight to Kamloops, and attend your father’s memorial service. It was a really beautiful Eulogy by Don, the slide show was just wonderful, and Becky’s personal letter to your dad was heartfelt and very moving for me. Once again, I was in awe of all the activities he participated in and the organizations that he took the time to belong to, especially the church choir for over 70 years!! It keeps surprising me, just how much he has affected me over the years since our wonderful friendship began in the early 90′s. I catch myself thinking about your Dad when I don’t want to put the effect into something important. He was such a mentor to so many and the way he lived his life will always be such an example to many of us to continue striving to be the best that we can be. Thank you for sharing your father’s time with Kelvin and myself and all of our cottage guests over the many summers at Shuswap Lake. It truly was a priviledge to have been a part of his journey.
Dear Garrish family,
Although we have never met, my Mom, Lillian Webb, was a cousin to your Mom Jo and always spoke so kindly of her. After reading your Dad’s obituaries and the many condolences, he must have been a very special man. I am truly sorry I never had the privilege of meeting him. On behalf of our family, the Webbs, I send our deepest sympathy for your loss. Sincerely, Pat
Dear Garrish family:
You may not know me. I live in Falls Church, VA now, but grew up in Kamloops, and me and my mom (Yvonne) and Dad (Geoff) have/had many fond memories of Harold and Jo…I was just a kid back then, but always felt a closeness to the two of them and the friendliness with which they treated me….memories of times on the old Kamloops Ski Hill especially. My prayers are with you all.