Harlan Donnley Meade

Harlan Donnley Meade passed away in the embrace of his family on March 25th, 2024, at Lions Manor Nursing home in Richmond, British Columbia.

He is survived by his devoted wife Linda, his sons Michael and Harlan Jr, his daughter-in-law Joanna, as well as his beloved grandchildren Aiden, Ethan, and Bennett.

Though his life was too short for those he left behind, Harlan filled it with travel, laughter, and accomplishment.

Born in North Vancouver, Harlan left the coastal rain and moved with his family to their orchard in sunny Penticton. After acquiring his bachelors from the University of British Columbia, he went on to attain a doctorate in geology at Western University in Ontario, before returning to Vancouver to receive his masters in business and administration from Simon Frasier University. Harlan would go on to work in the mining sector for nearly fifty years. Starting as an untrained camp cook infamous for his wild blueberry pie – the ‘Blue Volcano’ – he worked his way up to the position of CEO and President of several mining companies, such as Selwyn Resources and Copper North.

Harlan never forgot the importance of education and contributed to the teaching of a new generation of prospective geologists. He held the position of director at Mineral Deposits Research at UBC and at the Yukon Mine Training Association. He also worked alongside other geologists for the improvement of the industry in organizations such as the Canadian Institute for Mining and Metallurgy, the Yukon Mine Advisory Board, and the Mining Association of Canada – to name a few.

Even more than his achievements, Harlan will be remembered by all who knew him for his larger-than-life personality and relentless humour.

He is returning now to his birthplace on the Northshore.

The service will be held at First Memorial Funeral Home and Boal Chapel at 11:00am on Wednesday April 3rd, 2024, on 1505 Lillooet Road in North Vancouver. He will be interred nearby at Capilano View Cemetery at 12:30pm, with a reception to follow back at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, who helped Harlan and his family through the final chapter of his life.