Harvey Willsey
Died: December 4, 2021 | Place: Parkwood Institute, London
Obituary
WILLSEY, Harvey…
Harvey Edwin Willsey passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021 in his 98th year, peacefully reunited with his love, the former Freda June Abbott, who left this world in 2006.
He is also reunited with his dear son Paul, who died in 1971, and with his seven brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his son Ralph and Ralph’s wife Judith of Perth; grandsons Dawson and wife Karla of Westport, Fraser and wife Kristi of Kemptville, granddaughter Anna and husband Frank Kotsovolos of Perth; and 10 great-grandchildren.
After growing up on a farm at Crossley Hunter, south of London, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1944. He was posted to HMCS Prevost in London, then HMCS Cornwallis, and Protector in Nova Scotia, where he was one of many who helped guard the vital Sydney Harbour during the Battle of the Atlantic. He was discharged June 18, 1945, and on June 20 wore his Navy blues to his wedding.
A man of uncommon versatility and ingenuity, he could build almost anything. He built his mother a crystal radio when he was still a teenager. He could grade a road, pour concrete, lay bricks, overhaul engines, troubleshoot electronic devices and much more. He built his own computer in the early 1970s when home computers were unheard of.
In the latter decades of his working life, he was proud to be a radio communications technician for the RCMP in London, and proud that he wore a jacket and tie at work, not the greasy coveralls of his youth.
His family is especially grateful to his home helper, Judy Emeny, whose unfailing support allowed him to continue living independently in the little house he loved so well. When age at last forced him to move to the Parkwood Institute she continued to support him there, and so did her sister, Tammy Donkervoort. They and his other occasional helpers enriched his life greatly.
Special thanks go also to Dr. Michael Borrie and the staff of 2Perth at Parkwood for their unsurpassed care and devotion.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 9-10 am at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The memorial service will follow at 10 am in the funeral home chapel.
In memory of Harvey, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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I miss you so much Harvey specially your smile! Love you for ever!
So very sorry to hear of Uncle Harvey’s passing. Always enjoyed seeing him over the years. He was such a kind man and always made time to sit and chat with us at family functions. He always had such a warm smile. I’m sure he’ll be greatly missed.
Alison Willsey, Randy Baker and family
To Uncle Harvey and Aunt Freda’s kids grandkids and great grand babies…my sincere condolences the siblings will be in rally to welcome him to beyond im sure…Although my memories are few from reunions and visits with Grandpa and uncle Clarence I will always remember his smile.
fondly,NATALIE
(MISSY),Leonard’s granddaughter
To all of Uncle Harvey’s family from all of mine..
Thinking of you and yours with deepest sympathy..
Shirley , Len’s girl
I’ll miss you forever grandpa. I will cherish all of our wonderful memories forever. You taught us so many things but most of all, how important it is to cherish all moments big and small. I am so proud to be your granddaughter and will tell my kids stories of you, so they know what an incredible person their great-grandfather was.
Hugs! I’m sure Harvey is enjoying time with Aunt Freda now. He always had a smile and always struck up conversations with my awkward self. He will be fondly remembered. RIP Harvey
First of all my condolences to the family and especially Ralph.
It is so coincidental that yesterday I was interviewing an applicant for licensing to the Professional Engineers Ontario.
His experience was at London Hydro. The old London PUC. !!
At the end of the interview I mentioned that they were one of my customers long ago and a very good friend worked there. Harvey.
My thoughts were to you and your Dad.
You Dad was a big reason I moved to London from Toronto to establish an office fo GE for mobile communications. Sales and Service.
Harvey got to design a new service shop in a new CGE building. I was the sales guy.
No more fixing two-way radios in the outside snow for Harvey.
We set up the service shop to his specifications as I remember now. And we were a team. He helped me and vice versa. He was proud to be servicing RCMP and OPP radios and worked for one of the largest companies in the world. And was well respected by all.
He had an interesting technical life. Yesterday the guy we talked to was involved in automating meter readings for hydro. As well as testing a method for users to control energy use using your iPhone. I was thinking your Dad would have loved that.
My condolences.
My grandpa was the best! Such a proud Canadian, family man, and serviceman! He was always so diligent whether fixing a toy or electronic for us, keeping things orderly and tending to his family. A man who experienced so much including war, extreme joys and the most extreme of heartbreaks losing a son just entering his prime and his loving wife in her sudden passing.
Our grandparents always made us feel we were the most important and special visit they received all year when we made the trip to go see them. They would always be watching out the window when we would pull in their driveway. We loved our time in their London home where we were always surrounded with love.
He had such a loving and yet rascally, playful sense of humour that perhaps not everyone was lucky enough to see. While always appreciating everything life provided and giving thanks abundantly.
We’re going to miss you Grandpa! The world lost a good one here, I’m so proud to share your name!
Sad to hear of Harv’s passing. We worked together in Toronto RCMP days, and shared a few adventures together. My wife and I have both met Harv & Freda – a wonderful couple, and we will remember them fondly. It’s telling the kind of person Harv was by the impression he made on us. Rest in Peace.
Dear Willsey Family And Friends;On behalf of my motherMary Cross Pratt of Perth,Ontario originally plus Brian,Brenda,and Darlene Cross all born in Perth,Ontario on September9,1952,Brian june27,1953,and Darlene June 30,1956 At the Perth,Hospital during those years living on my moms farm on the second line of Drummond Township okay.Our thoughts and prayers are with all your family members and friends for better days ahead for each one of you with Gods Blessings to carry on your perspective lives and careers or enjoy your retirement years okay