Harold NIGHTINGALE
Harold NIGHTINGALE
Obituary
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Harold NIGHTINGALE Obituary
February 15, 1934 - October 30, 2011
Quietly at home after a courageous 43 year battle with cancer, attended by his loving wife of almost 25 years, Josina Van Dyk. Survived by his sons Bryan and Jeff, and his grandchildren Jesse, Shawn, and Cole; all of whom will deeply miss his love, support and gentle coaching in their lives. Also survived by his sister Pat, and brothers Albert (Ab) and Noel and by Joyce Nightingale, the mother of his children; his nieces Cathy, Carol, and Tammy; his nephews Ken, Ryan, Mike, and Randy. He loved Josina's brothers and sisters as his own, and they too will miss him greatly. Following a rich and satisfying engineering career with the Royal Canadian Navy, General Foods, W.R. Grace, Eatons, and Canada Post, he obtained an M.A. Economics to start a new career in marketing with Canada Post and Statistics Canada. Always a sports enthusiast he played football and rowed in high school; was the Canadian University Welterweight Boxing Champion; taught swimming, canoeing and sailing for Toronto YMCA; was a professional ski instructor and coach for 20 years and played soccer and hockey until he was 72 years old. Both he and Josina enjoyed motorcycling and took extensive trips. Until his death he continued to canoe at their home on the Ottawa River. He once said, "Give me a canoe I can love and a paddle I can trust, and I will be content." He will be missed by his team mates, friends, and neighbours. Friends may call at the Garden Chapel of the Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean (between Bayshore and Baseline Road) on Friday and Saturday, November 4 & 5th, 2011 from 2- 5 p.m., and on Sunday, November 6th, 2011 from 12 noon until service time in the chapel at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations to Palliative Care Outreach Program, 1716 Woodward Drive, Suite 111, Ottawa, ON K2C 0P8 or to Friends of Hospice 555 Legget Drive, Tower B Suite 140, Kanata, ON K2K 2X3, would be appreciated. Condolences, donations or tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com
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24 Entries
Paul Thomas
November 4, 2011
Dear Josi & Nightingale clan:
Harold and I go back 64 years to 1947, when we were classmates for each year of our 5-year sojourn at Parkdale CI in Toronto. We have been kindred spirits ever since. Harold was always a person of many parts. He taught me to paddle a canoe, play chess and even provided sage advice for getting on with the other sex.
He was always ruggedly handsome, yet gentle and unpretentious . Despite various efforts to turn him into a poster boy for various corporate causes, Harold was always his own man. Ever modern, infectiously cheerful and future-oriented, he openly shared his hopes and ideals. At the same time, he was always adept at zeroing in to the core of my own being. Indeed this ability to read others, made him a superb manager or administrator, whenever he was willing to play that role. About a year ago, he honoured me by forwarding a handsomely illustrated, collection of his personal life-highlights. That was of course, his way of saying “farewell - - for now”. I was deeply touched by the poetry that poured out from his soul, which was clearly far vaster than merely “scientific”... and even more touched for his appreciation of Josi's vigilant, loving tenderness which had kept him alive ...for decades.
Harold and I, from time to time, traded considerable information about our paranormal experiences - in relation to the mysterious, underlying fabric of the Cosmos. That enables me to now say most assuredly: Harold is not gone - but only gone ahead.
God bless you all !!!
Paul F. Thomas
Carol and Laurie Pascoe
November 4, 2011
Dear Josie and family, we are very sorry to learn of Harold's death. We hope your very special memories of a loving life together will provide you support during your grieving. With our sympathies, Carol and Laurie
November 4, 2011
Dear Nightingale Family:
Harold hired me at a student recruitment reception over a beer (I think he had an orange juice). I very much enjoyed working with him in the early 1970's at Canada Post and credit him with starting me on a very fulfilling career. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences. Mike Walker
Cora and Garfield McDonald
November 3, 2011
Jeff, Cathy, Cole, Jessie, Bryan, Shawn, Joyce, and Josie, and family.
So very sorry to hear of your loss, My deepest condolences at this difficult time.
Cora and Garfield McDonald
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November 3, 2011
To Josi and the Nightingale Family,
I had the opportunity to spend several years with Harold as a colleague at Statistics Canada. Our meetings with Denis were raucous but great fun. I remember my first meeting with Harold. So I arrive in his office to be welcomed by this voice coming from behind a screen and motorcycle clothes coming from over the top and a voice saying "will be with you in a moment".
It was then I realized it was best to schedule budget reviews with Harold a little later in the day!!
What great times!
May all your tomorrows
dawn fond memories as will mine.
Josie Buckland
Perth, Ontario
November 3, 2011
We are thinking about you Josina. See you on the weekend. With love from Carl, Laura, Carson & Eric
Kathy Baird
November 3, 2011
Josi,
Words cannot express how saddened I was to hear of Harold's passing. He was a great man. Always a smile on his face when we would talk about soccer, family, life, vacations... and me wanting to drive his green mustang. He will be greatly missed but will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family.
Glenn, Diana, Kari, Kathy & Michelle Baird
Patricia Hennessey
November 3, 2011
Josi, Our sincere sympathy. I was saddened to read that Harold had passed away. I remember Harold from the old days at Statistics Canada and of course more recently through our work.
Patricia Hennessey & Mike Beauvais
(M & M Yard Services)
Roderic Delaney
November 2, 2011
Josie and family, our heart, condolences and sympathy go out to you.
Glenda and Rod Delaney
Lee Wainwright
November 2, 2011
To the members of Harold's family, I extend my sincere condolences. I had the pleasure of knowing Harold for a number of years while working at Statistics Canada. He had an influence on my career which was greatly appreciated. I also had the pleasure of knowing him as a friend during the time he spent at Constance Bay and also for the ski instruction he gave us freely. I was amazed at his fitness despite having lost one lung to cancer while we played hockey at he RA center. I am sure he will be missed by you all but please take comfort in knowing that he was a respected member of the community and a dedicated Public Servant.
November 2, 2011
Harold's spirit and friendship will live on forever in our hearts amd memories.
He truly embodied the essence of an individual enjoying every moment and sharing his passions from; biking, to soccer, playing hockey, talking politics, talking about family, or just being a friend.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers to all his loved ones.
John,Sally,Kaeleigh,Brett D'Ermo
Ryan Kilty
November 2, 2011
I enjoy great memories of Harold, always smiling, always joking, having heart to heart chats, playing our music for each other, you will be missed.
Dan and Carol KILTY
November 2, 2011
Remembering Harold and what an interesting, fiesty gentleman he was. Our condolences to his family for their loss.
November 1, 2011
Josie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. We will always remember Harold's words of encouragement to Jon and Kendra during their competitive ski careers.
And of course the Theater evenings in Kanata with a stop at Tim Hortons on the way home. Such wonderful memories!
Harold will be greatly missed.
Jack, Sue, Kendra & Jon Perry
Jamie, Jennifer, Hunter, Hannah & Cody Blair
November 1, 2011
Dear Jeff, Cathy, Cole & Jesse
Bryan, Shawn & Joyce & Family,
Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts & prayers are with each of you at this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathy,
The Blair Family
Russ, Cheryl, Kristen and Jeff Campbell
November 1, 2011
Jeff, Cathy, Cole and family,
What a wonderful man, great spirit and energy. We had some great conversations at the hockey rinks, very devoted to his family, I know you will miss him terribly. Deepest sympathies.
Hal Moran
November 1, 2011
Josi:Sue and I are so sorry our buddy Harold is gone--So many great memories--We will miss him--You and your family have our deepest sympathies
Debbie Colasante
November 1, 2011
Jeff and the Nightingale family, my deepest condolences on the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this diffucult time.
November 1, 2011
Please accept our deepest sympathies. We remember sitting in the hockey stands with Harold as he was always there to cheer on Cole and the rest of the team. He was their #1 fan! Dave, Cheryl and Sean Thornton
Kathryn Kreiser
November 1, 2011
Uncle Harold will be missed greatly. I have some wonderful memories. His charm and charisma made it enjoyable to spend time with him. I am thankful for having him in my life. The strongest and most meaningful memory of him was his helpfulness in shipping a piano to us from Ottawa to Manitoba. Not a simple task, but problem solver that he was, he got the job done. Thank-you to everyone who took care of him and made his last days comfortable. His fight was well fought. I will miss him. Love and hugs to everyone in the family. Kathy
Tanya Masse
November 1, 2011
Brother Jeffy... I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father. What an amazing Obituary! Sometimes the ones we love the most must leave us here on earth so they can watch over us and protect us in spirit. This form of being is much more powerful than we can possibly imagine and you can be assured that your father, like my mother and father, is in a place that far surpasses anything the physical world has to offer. He is an angel now and he will always be with you when you need him the most until it is your time to join him. If you pay attention, you will feel his presence.. you just need to believe it. Love you and Cathy, Cole and Jess very much. I will do my best to pay my respects in person and join in the celebration of his life. Take care xo
Kerri MacMillan
November 1, 2011
Mrs.Nightengale, Bryan, Jeff and families - so saddened to hear of your loss. My condolences and prayers are with you all. I'll never forget the ski trips!
November 1, 2011
Jose
We are so saddened to hear about the passing of Harold. He was such a wonderful neighbor/friend, and will be missed by all.
Peter,Donna,Kelly & Tyler Watters
November 1, 2011
Josina:
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Harold. You have our deepest sympathy. We only met Harold briefly during the 2001 Wayer Front Problem on the Ottawa shore. God bless.
Carolyn & Morley Cashman
Ottawa , Ontario
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