HAROLD GORDON GARDNER
1941 - 2021

It is with great sadness that Harold’s family announces that he lost his bravely fought battle with cancer on Monday, February 22nd, in his 79th year.

Beloved husband and best friend of Elsie for 57 years. Loving father of Shari and her husband Kelly Phillis. Cherished Grandpa of Breanne and the late Jaidyn Phillis. Predeceased by his brothers Ronald (Rhoda), Raymond (Mona), Earnest, and his sister Shirley. Harold will also be missed by his sister-in-law Gloria Gardner. Fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, and his many friends.

Harold’s family would like to thank family and friends for their phone calls, e-mails, and support during his illness. It meant a lot to him.

Harold was a hard worker and a perfectionist. He was always willing to help friends with odd jobs or home renovations. He built two houses for his family, one in 1965 and one in 1987. He was senior park warden at Killbear Provincial Park for 27 summers, and drove the snowplow for the Ministry of Transportation for 38 winters. Before his illness, he enjoyed being a volunteer driver for the local Community Support Service.

Over the years, Harold and Elsie travelled together, taking two cruises, one to the Caribbean, and one to Alaska. Together, they also travelled across Canada and the United States with their trailer. Harold’s favourite past times were bowling and fishing.

Cremation has taken place. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no celebration of life.

Donations in Harold’s memory may be made to the West Parry Sound Health Centre (Chemotherapy Department), or Aspen Wildlife Sanctuary.

Condolences

We are deeply saddened to hear of Harold's passing. What a struggle he fought for so long! We send our sincere sympathies to all of you, his family, for you have lost a true champion in every way. May he find the peace and freedom he so richly deserves!

Elsie, Shari, Kelly and Breanne:

It is with heavy hearts we learned of Harold's passing yesterday. He was a great friend of our family for many years. He fought a long hard battle with cancer but always looked forward to special occasions like summer and his and Elsie's anniversary. We will miss his friendship immensely. Hugs to all concerned.

Heaven gained a very strong fighting man who never gave up even to the end. I will always remember Harold driving me with the community van he'd pick me up and always made me smile even if I was having a really bad day. Harold was very kind and patient with everything he did. Harold would always go out of his way to help anyone if he could. I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace my friend .

To the family, we are so sorry to hear of Harolds passing! Our deepest sympathy, we will miss our chats out in the community!

I am so sorry for your loss Elsie.. this is so sad,,, my thoughts and prayers are with you
Lori and Barry McDevitt

Condolences to the family

So sorry to here he is gone. He was a good man. Thought a lot of him. My condolences.

To the Gardner family. Please accept my deepest condolences Jutta Pirie

So sorry for your loss. Harold was a great guy!!

We will remember Harold as a soft spoken friendly person. He always had a smile and a friendly "hello". Sincerest sympathies for Elsie and her family.

I am so sorry for your loss. Harold was a wonderful, kind and thoughtful man to work with. It was the way he made you feel valued and appreciated what was important. A life well lived!

Elsie, Shari, Kelly & Breanne,

I was so saddened to hear of Harold's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of the years we worked together at Killbear Provincial Park. Harold was a mentor to so many young men and women over the years. He was always generous with his vast knowledge and genuinely patient with so many of us early in our careers. I will never forget his warmth, sense of humour and laugh ringing through the Park Office. My heartfelt condolences to you all.

I’m so sorry to hear about Harold.
He was a terrific man and will be missed. I have fond memories of him when I was growing up in PaB.
When you moved to PS and I would see him he’d always have a big smile and hello.
My deep condolences.

So very, very sorry to hear of this sad news! Harold was a lovely man and will be missed! May your hearts heal with his memories.

My condolences to family and friends. Harold was a big part of my Killbear PP experience over the years. He was always waving as he drove by and would readily accept a cup of tea and a short visit by the fire. I will never forget one such visit where he had made a Tim’s stop prior and had donuts in the car for gate staff. We were chatting and he suddenly turned to chase the raccoons that had found their way in through an open window. What a scene! I will remember him as always being willing to help a camper in need and making sure your stay was a good one! May all your memories bring you joy.

It is with great sadness to hear of Harold's passing! My sincere condolences to the family and friends. Will be thinking of you all!

Elsie, Shari, Kelly, Breanne:
Our sincere sympathies go out to you on the passing of your beloved Harold. He was a great man. My fondest memories of him began when he would stop into the Chalet Restaurant in the early 80’s to chat and have a coffee. He would stop in even more when Shari was working for my family when she was in High School. Over the years our family has remained good friends. It was so hard to see him struggle so much in the past year. Losing Jaiidyn and his brothers within a short time was very hard emotionally, but he never did give up the fight to live. He is now at peace and the battle well fought is over, Harold has left many wonderful memories in all of our hearts. May he Rest In Peace.
Lorrie & Doug Kerr

Our deepest condolences to Elsie and Sherri and Kelly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Harold was such a wonderful friend to our dad they enjoyed so many fishing trips. Many great times. With all our prayers 🙏 with love The Kozluk Family.

Dear Elsie and family, So sorry to hear of Harold's passing. He was such a kind, caring gentleman. It was always a pleasure to have Harold be our volunteer driver for dinners at Belvedere. Much love to you all.

Anne Stevens

Dear Elsie
Our most sincere condolences to you and family. Harold was such a kind, true gentle man. May your memories lift you through these difficult times.

So sorry to hear of Harold's passing.

A great guy all round and one that will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.

Elsie, Shari, Breanne & Kelly
Many years, many fond memories.
A kind, gentle spirit, Harold faced adversity with strength and courage. His life was well lived with family and friends. Always a kind word, always a smile. In our hearts and memories forever.
Curlee & Bernie

So saddened to hear of Harold Passing. He always liked a joke at Tim's seeing him most mornings till Covid.

My condolences

Sandy McPhee

We are profoundly sorry for your loss. Our condolences to you and your family.

Elsie and family, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Harold was such a great man. He was a good friend, mentor and always great to work with. Somehow Harold always knew where to get a hot coffee and slice of pie in the morning when we were camping at Killbear. The odd time he even brought the pie. We are better for knowing him. Take care.

Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Harold through Community Support Services. He was always there to lend a hand and to help out the community. He would come into to the office and we would have many conversations. He was a very caring person who loved to help anyone in need and loved his family and friends. It was a pleasure having him as a friend and volunteer.
My thoughts are with you and your family.

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Harold. He was a wonderful, funny, caring man and he will be dearly missed by all those fortunate enough to know him. Our thoughts are with you all.

Elsie
So sorry to learn of Harold’s passing. Sending my condolences to you and your family at this very sad time. I have many good memories of working with Harold at the Park. He was truly one of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure to know.

Bruce Waddell

Elsie, Shari, Kelly and Breanne:

We are so sorry for your loss. Wayne worked with Harold at MTO and he drove Jacqui to appointments in Toronto. He was a kind man.

Jacqui & Wayne

Dear Elsie and Family. Harold was a kind and good friend. We had many good times, good laughs during the time we spent together at CSS. Harold was my true go to man for anything I needed when it came to our vehicles and rarely said no to driving our clients who lived in the West Parry Sound vicinity. It was an honour and privilege to know him. He is our Angel and will watch over us always.

I'm so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Elsie, I am so sorry that Harold has left you and your family. Your memories with him for all these years will be with you. My sincere condolences to you and your family. Wilson

Mrs. Gardner and Family,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Harold. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories and happy times together as you celebrate a life well lived . Our thoughts and prayers are with you .
Cheryl Tranter / Predie Family

Our deepest condolences to the Gardner family. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.