Donald Allison Harwood

Donald Allison Harwood passed away July 6, 2016 at the Priory, after a lengthy battle with COPD as well as Alzheimer’s, with his wife Carol and step-daughter Deborah by his side. He was born May 26, 1932 in Victoria, BC. He was pre-deceased by his parents Mr. Frederick James Harwood and Mrs. Gladys Mabel Harwood, as well as his childhood best friend, Malcolm Polson, cousins and other family.

Although Don’s parents met on Hornby Island, they lived in Victoria. Don grew up in Cadboro Bay where he attended school, although he was known for skipping out and going fishing when he could. Don used to drive his parents crazy, collecting many old Model T Fords from people’s yards, and transporting them to his house. His dad could be heard saying “not another one!”

Don is survived by his loving wife Carol Harwood, as well as his children: Dennis (Ruby), Charlene (Chris), Deanna, Ray and step-children Deborah (Dennett) and David (Miles). Don loved his three grandchildren: Rynjil, Cole and Olivia.

Don lived a full life, enjoying a variety of occupational pursuits. Don worked on the same ship that his father did, the William J. Stewart, which was a hydrographic survey ship. He worked his way up to become first mate. Don worked on tug boats up island, as well as on the Alaska Highway as it was being built. Don also owned a chicken farm for 25 years on Blenkinsop Road and delivered his eggs throughout Victoria. He dabbled in the restaurant business (the Thatch) on Hornby Island, where he resided for a time. He also delivered gas and oil from Ford’s Cove to the Co-op on Hornby Island, as well as fuel to the ferry. It was on Hornby Island that Don began to manufacture cedar lanterns, which he sold across the island. It was also through his cedar lantern business that he met his wife Carol. Don loved to tell people that he picked her up at a garage sale, but she would always correct him, saying it was at a craft fair at the Racquet Club in Victoria. He tried to sell her a lantern, but she bought a shirt at someone else’s booth instead!

Travel was in Don’s blood, especially to hot locales. He got the travel bug after driving through Mexico twice. He often waxed nostalgic about trips he and Carol had taken, most often cruises, vacations in Hawaii, and trips to Mexico, as well as annually dry camping in Arizona for months at a time. Don loved sitting in the sun, and used to say that he “was acclimatizing for the afterlife”. Don enjoyed hunting with a group of friends back in the day, though it was probably as much about the socializing as the actual hunting.

Don was an outgoing man and made fast friends with people everywhere he went. He had a dry, occasionally ribald sense of humor as evidenced by his collection of funny t-shirts. Don loved Carol’s cooking and a good rum and coke, anything chocolate and dessert, as well as vintage cars, especially the Model T Ford and maritime history!

The family would like to thank Don’s physician, Dr. Bailey, for his care and warm bedside manner as well as the staff at the Priory who looked after him over the past two years. In particular, Carol would like to thank Patti, Sandy, Elaine and Barb at Maple Cottage.

Don was not one for pomp and circumstance and expressed his wishes that there be no funeral service. His final resting place will be Royal Oak Burial Park.

He will be greatly missed…..