Harry Richard Rayworth Chapman

1943 - 2021

Always a man to want things done HIS way, Harry passed away peacefully and free of pain on the evening of Thursday, February 11th 2021. He slipped the surly bonds of Earth while he dozed where he wanted to be, at home, a home to which he had been brought as a newborn baby almost 78 years ago.

Born in Port Arthur on March 16th 1943, Harry Richard Rayworth Chapman was the middle son of three boys born to Dr. Harry and Mrs. Flora Chapman. He attended Pine St. School, then went on to Pickering College in Newmarket, ON. While at Pickering College, one of his favourite and most memorable activities was helping out with all of the different large animals at the college's farm.

In his youth Harry enjoyed motor-biking, scuba diving, and partying. He was one of the rapscallion group of Jaycees that painted the polka dots onto the roof of the Tourist Pagoda in June of 1961.

Harry began his career in finance and mortgages in 1964 at Canada Permanent Mortgage Corporation, where he worked his way up to become Mortgage Manager. One summer, while on his coffee breaks with his co-workers at the Appolon Restaurant next door, he met a young girl, Jane Pudas, a student who was waitressing at the Appolon as her summer job. Following a 2-year courtship, they were married in the fall of 1967.

After his years at Canada Permanent, Harry crossed the street and joined Guaranty Trust Company of Canada to work as a realtor. In 1978 he was the top real estate salesman across Canada for Guaranty Trust, and in 1979 he was 4th among its top ten. These years were followed by a move to Vancouver to manage the provincial mortgage portfolio for Guaranty Trust. Upon completion of his contract in B.C., a return to Thunder Bay in the mid 1980s saw Harry and 3 other realtors (Wil Salo, Denis Gauthier, and Bob DiGiuseppe) establish Team 100 Realty Inc. Harry eventually sold his share of the company but continued to work as a realtor for Team 100 until his retirement 10 years ago. In many of his years as a realtor, he was among the top achievers in the city's real estate industry.

To his clients, he was respected as being honest, reliable, and ethical. To his family and friends he was often obstinate and opinionated, but beneath it all his love for them ran deeply.

Harry was a shrewd and successful investor, and an excellent and creative cook. His favourite pastimes included visits from grandchildren, bird-watching, traveling (cruises as well as one-destination vacations) and most of all, spending time at his beloved idea of paradise, his life-long camp at Two Island Lake.

When Harry was in his early 50s he decided to enter the Fresh Air Tinman Triathlon. After strictly following a vigorous training routine (biking to camp, running around the lake at camp on the TILT, and swimming alongside the loons at camp), he was ready for the big event. He reported to the starting point at Boulevard Lake and completed the race – an admirable achievement for a beginner.

As a volunteer, Harry supported the Salvation Army (member of the Board of Directors), the 55+ Centre (kitchen helper), and the Canada Games Complex (sat on the Members' Advisory Committee).

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Susan, and his beloved Aunty Mary (MacLean). He is survived by his wife Jane, daughter Kathy Jacobson (Keith) and son Harry. He was “Pop” to grandchildren Turner Johnson (Serene Baker), Carter Johnson, Kooper Jacobson, and Kaija Jacobson, and to Alex and Zach Jacobson, and Ashley Johnson. Harry was so thrilled to have welcomed his precious new great-grandson Marshall Johnson into the family last year. Also surviving are brothers David Chapman and Tim Chapman (Johnson Yang), brother-in-law Jim Pudas, and other relatives.

Thanks are extended to Dr. Don Leishman for his decades of care. And after Harry's diagnosis of cancer last July, the assistance provided by Superior North EMS paramedics during several call-outs was admirably professional and understanding. To the staff of ParaMed, particularly PSW Monika Doryn and RN Treena Bean, we are forever grateful for their kind and compassionate care of Harry. Our NP Calvin Pelletier was always quick to respond to my worries and queries, and he provided me with such a positive perspective on so many aspects of what was happening with Harry. We couldn't have had a better palliative care team to help ease Harry out of this life.

Due to Covid restrictions services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate in memoriam donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or to TBRHSC's Our Hearts at Home Campaign.

Online condolences may be made through
www.nwfainc.com