As I was growing up in Sault Ste Marie, George Harvey showed me what true generosity and love of nature could be. As a scout at Central United,  I spent many wonderful days with him at meetings, hiking, camping, and learning about the world. Now at an age to appreciate the time and trouble this took for both him and Bob Eliot, the other scoutmaster, to run our weekly troop meetings and take us on camping trips, I will be forever grateful. 
Peter Black
Franc D. Ingraham Professor of Neurosurgery Emeritus
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts, USA

As a summer student hire in 1954, Dr. Harvey was one of my supervisors at the Lab. He and Dr. Stehr were conducting pioneer research on budworm genetics. In 1961, I collected and shipped to the Sault thousands of budworm larvae from locations in Washington and Idaho to support their continuing studies. From this material, they recognized a new species - the western spruce budworm.

Around the lab. Dr. Harvey was known as ‘the whistler.’ This habit of his provided a convenient warning to all that he was approaching, and to get back to work before he appeared in the lab if we had been taking a break!

It has been many years since I last saw George, but he is one person that I visited at the lab when I returned to the Sault to visit family, or saw at Central on Sunday mornings.

My condolences to his family. George was a man of many talents, an excellent scientist, and a friend. His passing leaves fond memories to be cherished; those memories cannot be taken away.

My condolences to the whole Harvey family. I had the extreme pleasure of knowing your dad, through your mother. He was and will always be a true gentleman, who loved all of you. Please cherish all of your memories, as I will.

Ted, Connie, Susan, and Paul, it is difficult to find the words that express adequately the sorrow that we feel over the loss of your Dad. He was a wonderful giving person who loved and enjoyed his family, and work and all the volunteer hours he spent over the years being of service to his community and to his church. I was in awe over his skill at nurturing Amarylss bulbs into blooming each year and all his other lovely plants and gardens. A beautiful singer in the choir for so many years and I got to enjoy that voice every Sunday morning in Church as I sat in the pew in front of him. I was also able to visit a couple of times after he moved to Collegiate Heights. I am so sorry his last few weeks were spent dealing with cancer. Prayers for all of you at this time.

To George's family:
I am saddened to learn of your father's passing. He was a kind and caring gentleman and was very supportive of my music ministry at Central. May he rest in peace.

I was saddened to hear of Dr Harvey's death. He was a mentor and great support of my ministry throughout London Conference of the United Church. "Well done good and faithful servant." May God's blessings be upon his family.

As you know, George was very important in my life encouraging me, supporting me and challenging me to be my best. He started as a friend of my parents, part of the "forestry community" at the "bug lab" and became a friend of mine as we sang in the church choir together through my high school years. He helped me in discerning my call to ministry and supported me through my theological education. When I came out to him as gay, he said, "So? How is your term going?" And over many years offered wonderful insights into politics, religion, family and life. Over the last years he was a constant friend to my Mum. They parked their cars beside each other every week and if one of the cars wasn't there, there was a call to make sure everything was ok. It was rare for either of them to ever miss a Sunday at Central United. George was the best. He will certainly rest in peace.

I am writing to offer condolences on behalf of the Entomological Society of Canada on the death of your father, George Harvey. Dr. Harvey had a long (35-year) and highly successful career as a research scientist at the Forest Insect Laboratory (now Great Lakes Forestry Centre), studying the phenology and ecology of the massively important pest, the spruce budworm. To his colleagues, he was a dedicated scientist and a quiet, thoughtful  person. I have learned that he was one of the original staff hired to work at the Centre when it was established in 1945. Apparently, he was hired as a student and, later, after completing his PhD, returned as a research scientist. With his passing, the Centre loses its last connection with the original group of scientists. I note in the obituary that your father was
also a keen naturalist,  being a charter member of the Sault Naturalists Club, and supported the development of the Voyageur Trail.

Please convey the Society's condolences to the other members of the Harvey family.

Chair, Heritage Commitee
Entomological Society of Canada

For many years, your father played a major role in the life and work of Central United. As a seasoned Clerk of Session and Presbytery Choir, he possessed such rich knowledge about church business. As I became more involved in the workings of Central, your Dad became my mentor and confidante. (However, I never mastered his famous "nod"--his signal during Communion Services for the Elders to return to the front of the sanctuary.) Your father's presence, as well as your sweet mother's, will be greatly missed. We shall treasure our memories of a very devoted couple that made such a difference in the life of Central United Church.

In sympathy and love, Diane Marshall, Chair--Church Council

Dear Connie, Ted and family,
Please accept my sympathy on the passing of your dad, George. Our paths first crossed at 157 Woodward Ave., when  my parents rented our spare room to a summer student at the bug lab.

Years later I began to teach (as a 19-year-old) at East View where you were students. Your parents were very supportive of this new young teacher. Central Chuirch was another contact point. The last time we talked was in the common areas of Maple View.

Your dad was a gentleman in all our meetings and very respectful of those he interacted with. What a great role model your family had.

With sympathy.  Page 

To the Harvey family,
Our sincere condolences to  you all on the passing of your Dad (George).

We treasure good memories of our all growing up together as family friends -- Christmas get togethers, camp visits, etc.

Your dad lived a good, busy, long, productive life, with ample time and energy reserved for being your father, mentor, and friend.

He will be missed but fondly remembered, as will your mother (Robin) and our Dolores.

Best continuing wishes to you all, sincerely, the Baldwin Family (Kim, Judy, Rob, Janet and Stan)

We have never met but I wish to extend my condolences on the passing of your father. Mr. Harvey walked past our house on his daily walk, stopping to exchange a few words if my husband John or I were outside. We'd hear the tap of his walking stick and know he was coming up the street.

If we were sitting in our living room, we'd take note that it was around 4:00 p.m. and we shoujld be seeing Mr. Harvey soon. Most of the time we'd first exchange hellos but there were a few times we'd exchange stories of our travels. I found your father quite interesting to talk to. I hope your family finds comfort in this time of sorrow and I want you to know others are thinking of your father too. 

George had a long and successful career and a great family who cared and loved him to the end of his life.  Your family is left with so many memories. Treasure them as you move on without him. We will miss getting a wave from George on his daily walk.

Kind regards to your family. Robert & Vera

Dear Ted, Connie, Susan and Paul and your Families:

When I heard that your Dad had passed away, a flood of memories came to me about the years we were involved with Troop #7. I certainly enjoyed George. I also remember that twice we camped together with the Harveys at Pancake Bay.

It was a privilege to work with your father. He had a good influence on my life.

My thoughts and prayers are with you as you say farewell to your dear father. I pray for a special touch from our Saviour's hand, bringing comfort and peace.

The days ahead will be hard, but the precious memories of time spent with your Dad will help you through the lonely hours.

May the Lord continue to bless, guide, and provide for you all in every area of your lives,

With much love, Bob Elliott.

Ted, Connie, Susan, Paul and families

We will miss your Dad. He was a true gentleman. We will try to honour him as we enjoy nature, family, and the odd glass of red wine.

Dear Connie,
As I read your father's wonderful obituary, I could not but be impressed with the breadth and quality of his contributions.

The impact of his leadership in scouting and United Church work will be longlasting.

Our thoughts are with you and your family as you cherish memories of a remarkable man's "life well lived." (from sympathy card)


I have known George for as long as I can remember and there are many, many good memories. Whether it was as part of my Dad’s “car pool” heading off to work at the lab, singing in the church choir, or playing Christmas carols on his home piano with all of us gathered around, George seemed connected to family and friends in a special way. My most vivid memory was as a young boy scout, when George was the Scout Canada District Commissioner.  I remember sitting  on the floor of Memorial Gardens at a jamboree surrounded by my troop mates from Central United and many other troops from around Northern Ontario. George was standing on an elevated stage in the centre of us all.  He spoke clearly and slowly and although I can’t remember the message, none-the- less, it left an impression. He stood tall and proud wearing his broad brimmed scouting hat, forest green shirt with scout scarf and home made woggle and an absolutely unique special brown leather lanyard.  What an impressive figure and what a huge contribution George made to scouting and to my life! Most recently, my memories of George are when we saw him at the Davey visiting my Dad.  Thanks for being such a good family friend George.  You will be missed. 
David Sippell        

I met George over 40 years ago when I joined Sippell family gatherings where he & Robin were often in attendance. I remember George as an intelligent, eclectic, gentle man. One who's welcome and interest were always open and sincere. 
Anne Sippell 

I first met George as part of a work crew doing maintenance on the Voyageur Trail near Mabel Lake in the early 1980s. As we worked in the same building, we frequently chatted in the hallways or around town. It was a privilege to have him involved in the 2015 70th anniversary celebrations for the Great Lakes Forestry Centre in the Soo. He had worked there as a student in 1945, an original employee in the year the lab first opened! He share many memories of his early days there, which were recorded as part of the year's activities. 

I always found George to be a gentle, kind soul and a great listener. My sincere condolences go out to his family on his passing. 

I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Harvey, but corresponded with him through telephone and email when I was a graduate student at the University of Alberta. He was very encouraging, even sending me spruce budworm technical reports in the mail during his retirement. Dr. Harvey's publications on spruce budworm have had a huge impact. They laid a foundation of understanding that I still regularly refer to today, and his findings continue to be highly relevant. I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and thankful to hear that he had lots of family and friends to share his life with. My sincerest condolences.

George:
It was always a pleasure working with you in the entomology group.  It's been 24 years since I've retired but the memories of those good times at the lab still remain.  I know God is with you.  Bless you

George Lucuik

George and Robin were good friends of ours when my husband was the minister at Central Church in the ‘70s.  I have many fond memories, and am glad to have known him.  Many blessings to friends and family.

I first met George at the 1994 General Council conference. He was chairing a national committee aimed at restructuring the United Church (a process which took nearly 25 years to implement). He was a visionary recognizing the need for change in the UCC. But I got to know him as a good neighbour when I moved onto Idaho St just a few doors down from his and Robin's home. He loved his church, both the wider church and Central United in the Soo. To use the language of a much earlier time, George was a devoted "churchman" in the best sense of the word.  

The gift Grandpa left to us is he spent time with us. He went on trips, spent time with us, and in doing so showed us how beautiful the world is. I am very grateful for this. If he brought us something, it was from a trip, a polished stone, a Pinecone from a Douglas Fir or something that was interesting for youth to learn. 

As a kid he was fun and exciting, as an adolescent, he was a teacher, an educator - always asking how school was going. As someone who now has a family of his own, he was a positive role model. I never really understood how much the family meant to grandpa until the summer of 2017, while helping grandpa move his air conditioner out of his bedroom window…I noticed he had a bulletin board full of family photos. Family was the center of his world……this was apparent for the entire time we knew him as kids and as we got older. He always genuinely cared. He was there for graduations; he always remembered his birthday, my kid's birthdays and always told us about other family members in our family tree. And yes, even the ones he discovered doing the geology from 1745.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from visiting grandma and grandpa, is seeing family, no matter the distance helps us to grow. We learn so much seeing each other and all us have something to share, so Harper and Oliver look forward to spending time with everyone soon. 

Grandpa thank you for sharing that life is beautiful, rocks are best polished, the natural world is amazing and a key part of Canada. You taught me that family is the most important part of being alive and sharing the natural world with your family is important for building a positive understanding of our world. I will always appreciate those summers at the Cabin, the many trips to Lake Superior, and the exciting natural things you brought back from your trips around Canada trapping insects. As kids and later as adults with families, we will miss the excitement of seeing you. 

With Love,
Harper, Oliver Sarah and Erich

rain, sleet, snow, hot air, everyday he walked. If it was 4pm it was likely you’d see him. 
I enjoyed these walks grandpa and will miss you 

OBITUARY

George Thomas Harvey

22 March, 1926 – 15 July, 2020

Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel

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