Harold Mortimer

Harold McBride Mortimer passed away peacefully, on January 27, 2012 at the Mineral Springs Hospital in Banff, Alberta at the age of 93, after a long and courageous struggle with increasingly debilitating health issues.

He will be deeply missed by his dearly beloved wife of 69 years Jolan (Julie), his loving daughter Marilyn, his sisters Phyllis Jarvin, Shirley Wilson, Roxiena Ashmore, and Maxine Yerbury, and many nieces/nephews and great-nieces /nephews. Besides his parents, John McBride and Margaret Ann, he was predeceased by his bothers Reginald Mortimer, Raymond Mortimer, Everett Mortimer, Marshall Mortimer and his sister Isabelle Evans.

Harold was truly a man of his era. His ancestral family came west from Minden, Ontario in 1914 and farmed in the Carbon area, where he was born in 1918. The family settled in the Horse Shoe Canyon near Drumheller before moving to the Rocky Mountain House district in 1927. During WWII Harold served with the Royal Canadian Artillery. He was stationed in Newfoundland at Argentia, Cornerbrook, Harbour Grace, and St. John's. He was noted as a rifle marksman-1st class. In 1949 Harold arrived with his family, Jolan and Marilyn in Banff- where he lived a long and happy life in this beautiful setting.

He was a handsome gentleman and a gentle man. He will be forever remembered for the sparkle in his beautiful blue eyes, and the ready smile he shared with all he met. His workshops were places of interest for the townsfolk who would come to enjoy his wood working and useful advice. He lifted his own spirits, as well as those of others, with his natural, creative, artistic ability. He was a naturalist and self-taught artist known for his detailed carvings of birds, intricate signs, fine cabinetry and furniture. He had an amazing talent to take something very ordinary and transform it into something beautiful. His Heart and His Hands were what made him special: all heart for the people in his life whom he cared about most and all hands for the creation of things. He was given a Banff Heritage Award from the town in 2004 for public service. This award recognized him for having built many houses in the town from the 1940's to the 1980's.

It is for his generosity, love, belief in people, and passion for life that we grieve for him unconditionally and forever.

May the winds of time blow softly

Loud enough for you to hear

That we love you dearly

And wish that you were here.

Many thanks to the entire staff of the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital who helped ease his suffering in these last years. We extend our deepest gratitude for the support, kindness, compassion and excellent care given to Harold throughout this most difficult part of his life's journey.

Thank-you to all his caregivers and staff at St. Martha's Place. A special thank-you goes to Glen – his therapist and Lisa "his adopted granddaughter"- nurse, and Dr. Stephen Shigeishi for his care, dedication and understanding.

Cremation has taken place.

There will be no funeral service or memorial.

A private gathering will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be left online here or may be sent directly to the family at Post Office Box 77, Banff T1L 1A2

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.