Roger Harvey

1927 - 2017

With much sadness, the family of Roger Harvey announces the passing of our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Roger passed away peacefully at Nipigon Memorial Hospital on Sunday, August 20, 2017. He left this earth on his own terms and the family would never have expected anything less.

Roger was born October 7, 1927, in Kenogami, Quebec, to Paul and Florida Harvey. The eldest of eight children, he left home in 1944 at age 17 for work and adventure in a new mill town in Northern Ontario called Red Rock. Soon the rest of his family joined him there and the Harvey family became well-known citizens of that community. Roger loved that town and its mill. He started working there as a young labourer who didn't speak any English and retired as a supervisor of 84 men on the paper machines! He was very proud of this achievement.

Roger met his wife Madeleine in Red Rock and when she passed in 2016, they had been married for nearly 68 years. They raised their five children in Red Rock and their home at 94 Stadler Avenue was the place of many social gatherings. Though health issues forced them to sell the home in 2014 and move to Thunder Bay to be closer to family and services, Red Rock was always home, and as he wanted, he got to spend his last few days close by, in Nipigon.

A good day in Roger's life could be when paper machine #2 rather smoothly, when he caught some pickerel on a remote river or lake, or when he sat down to one of Madeleine's amazing meals after a long day at the mill. Other satisfying moments would be when the Montreal Canadians actually listened to his armchair coaching and won a game! He was their biggest fan but loudest critic. Roger loved hockey and was honoured several times for his contributions to local hockey as a player, trainer, and district administrator. Having a great sense of rhythm, he enjoyed lively music, especially being able to accompany it with bongo drums and maracas. He loved his music played loudly, which may not have always been appreciated by his neighbours. Family time camping and celebrating special occasions with them with lots of laughs were really good days in his life.

Roger will be greatly missed by his children, Denise Lyzun, Roger (Gini), Robert (Anne), Leonard (Brenda), and Brian (Gail) Harvey. Grandpa's teasing will be fondly missed by his grandchildren: Michael (Sarah), Melissa (Paul), and Jessica (Mat), Kathryn (Martin) and John (Kayla), Joelle (Trevor) and Brianne (Kieran), Jasmine and Brandon, Virgil (Sonya) and Olivia. He leaves behind his great-grandchildren: Morgan, Myah, Alex, Kingstyn and Addisyn; Carter, Easton and Miller; Zachary and Rylan; Wyatt, Ethan, Gabriel, and Layla.

Left to mourn him are his brothers Edgar, Gabriel, and Guy, and his sisters Ghislaine, Lina and Lillian and their families. He will also be remembered by his Fournier in-laws Annette, Alice, Dave, Wilfred, and their families.

Roger was pre-deceased by his wife Madeleine, his parents, Paul and Florida, his brother, Leo, and his son-in-law, James, as well as other extended family members. A celebration of Roger's life will be held on Friday, August 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Hilary's Church in Red Rock, Ontario with Rev. Mr. Dave Dupuis officiating. Private interment will be at Cliffside Cemetery later that afternoon. If desired, memorial donations to Nipigon Memorial Hospital or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Arrangements in the care of
Elliot Funeral Home, Ltd. Nipigon, ON.