Thomas Garth Harvey

Thomas Garth Harvey (Garth) passed away at Shawnigan Lake, BC at the age of 97 years. Garth was born at home on the farm at Hunterville, Manitoba, the 7th of 10 children. His youth was spent in and around Rapid City Manitoba. As a youth and young man he worked in many capacities on farms in the area.

In November 1942, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he served during World War II as an airplane mechanic.

After his discharge in 1946, he ‘tried’ university in Winnipeg, but found that it was not for him, so he made his way to Ontario, where he did various jobs – from vacuum salesman to mining to prospecting, until he settled down in Ottawa to begin his civil service career.

There he married Gladys Young. They both had interesting and rewarding careers in Ottawa, and were a big part of the Ottawa Baha’I Community.

In 1977 they retired and moved to Shawnigan Lake, BC, where they began their new careers in the ‘field of community volunteering’.

Gladys predeceased Garth in 1995. For their service to the community and Province they received The Valued Volunteer Award from the Province of BC.

Throughout his time in the area, Garth enjoyed varied occupations. His creative soul was satisfied by building sets for the Shawnigan Players. His abiding love of nature and the outdoors was fulfilled in tramping all over Vancouver Island forests and mountains (in his 70’s) as chainman for surveyor, Robin LeGarff. Many people looked forward to Garth’s visits when he delivered Meals on Wheels in the area.

Garth received several community awards, all of which he was very proud. The following statement from the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, which was given to him on November 16, 2005 which sums it all up.

"Garth Harvey wholeheartedly believes in his community. He spearheaded the building of the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre, as well as its museum and library. He was instrumental in the planning and development of community parks and beaches and in the renovations of the Maxwell International Bahá'í School. He created the Community Crier, a newspaper that reaches out to the town's newcomers. Having experienced first-hand the demanding role of a caregiver and the lack of assistance, Mr. Harvey helped establish several caregivers support groups and founded the Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society where he continues to be an empathetic counsellor."

Garth retired as President of Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society in 2016. He continued his active involvement with the Shawnigan Lake Museum and Historical Society until his death.

He was a man who always needed a ‘project’.

He was writing his memoirs in his final years. Here is a quote from his writing.

“I slept and dreamed life was joy. I awoke and say life was duty. I acted, and behold, duty was joy.” Rabindranath Tagore

Garth was predeceased by his parents and all his siblings, but leaves behind his beloved nieces and nephews, and his special, extensive ‘extended family’.

There will be a Celebration of Life on April 8, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre.

Since Garth touched the lives of so many people over his many years with us, we invite you to share your memories of Garth on the Funeral Home website.

www.firstmemorialduncan.com

We plan to print these off and share them at the Celebration of Life.

For those who are attending the Celebration of Life, there will be a table where you can leave your memories to share.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shawnigan Lake Museum and Historical Society. http://shawniganlakemuseum.com/how-to-help.php