Harold Frederick Giles

GILESHarold FrederickJuly 30, 1911 - August 23, 2007Dad slipped away from us after a long, exciting, and fruitful life. He was born in Exeter, England, and came to Canada in 1913. He grew up on the North Shore, first in Dundarave, and later on West 17th Avenue in North Vancouver. From his father, he inherited a lifelong passion for railways and steam engines. From his mother, he learned an attention to detail, music, and a love for cats. After graduating from Normal School in 1934, he went to Bella Coola as a school teacher. From a teaching career, he moved to logging, and then to accounting. After marrying Margaret in 1947, they settled on a small farm in Hagensborg and lived there until 1996. During that time, Dad did the farming, worked at the logging company office, owned and operated a movie theater, acted as an insurance agent, repaired refrigerators, and was for a period of time the local magistrate. He had an uncanny skill in repairing machinery and electronic gear of all types, and was frequently called upon to perform his magic on a wide variety of broken objects. He was a mechanic, a welder, an electrician, a woodcutter, a farmer, a plumber and a carpenter. In the evenings, he found time to read a variety of subjects, but most favored histories of logging and steamships and railways. He played the organ at church on Sundays, and for many weddings and funerals. In later years, he and Margaret moved to Whiterock, where they enjoyed the frequent company of their children and grandchildren. Predeceased by Margaret in 2003, Harold is survived by his children Rod (Eileen), Brenda (Dennis) and Leo (Valerie), his grandchildren, Leon, Graham, Correne, Trevor, Lauren, and Brent, and his great-grandchildren Tate and Gwen. All of us wish to thank the staff of Whitecliffe Residence in South Surrey and the staff of Hogg Pavilion at Peace Arch Hospital for their kindness and patience while caring for Dad. A family service will be held later in Bella Coola, the place on earth he loved the most.