November 10, 1921 – October 1, 2016
Harry Hall Nash, a long-time Vernon resident, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, October 1, 2016 with his daughter at his side. Harry was born in Leask, Saskatchewan
November 10, 1921. The family, parents Phyllis & Lawrence (and sister Marjorie) moved to Vernon in 1924. The first few years were spent on a farm near Swan Lake and they later settled at the Pleasant Valley Road property. Dad’s memories of Vernon in the early days were fascinating. He talked of rowing his boat in the waves of the sternwheeler as it docked at O.K. Landing and riding his horse five miles along Old Kamloops Road to the original brick schools which are now Beairsto and the Science Center.
With a family history of the NWMP (his grandfather) and service in the army (his father), Harry applied for the RCMP as a young man. WW2 intervened and shortly after joining the RCAF he was accepted to the RCMP but had to decline. He spent his military years in New Brunswick as an airplane mechanic.
Harry met his wife Isabel Joyce in Kamloops after the war and they celebrated 65 years together shortly before Joyce passed away in 2013. They were life-long volunteers, starting with a Scout group and later the B.P. Guild. Harry was an early Director of the Vernon Credit Union, a Masonic member and active church member. They delivered Meals on Wheels and served on an Emergency Response team for the Okanagan. As nature lovers they were involved with the Nature Center and the Naturalist Club.
Their family was raised on the same property Harry grew up on. As a plumber/gasfitter and oil burner serviceman he worked for Imperial Oil and was on 24 hour call for many years. In this busy life he built a house in town and a cabin at the lake. Later, they built their retirement home at Okanagan Lake where they settled. There are many happy memories of family gatherings there. Harry loved to sail and finally in his 80’s we convinced him to settle (reluctantly) for a patio boat in the interest of safety. He captained the ‘Heaven Can Wait’ boat for many years. Enjoying the outdoors, both Mom and Dad went on many hikes, backpacking into Mt. Robson, Valhalla, Yoho, Skoki Mt. and many others … birding along the way.
Harry is survived by daughters Sharon (Gordon) Jensen, Shirley Nash (Bob Shanahan) & son Robert (Kim) Nash all from the Vernon area as well as 7 grandchildren (Rama, Deva & Jailan Warnes, Ryan & Jenifer Jensen, Jasmine & Siena Nash) and 5 great-grandchildren (Zain, Von, Vincent, Silas & Samantha). Dad will be remembered by family and many friends for his kindness, quiet and thoughtful nature, devotion to family and quirky sense of humour. We were very blessed to have such a wonderful father and he will be dearly missed.
A memorial tea will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, 3205 27th St, Vernon, BC on Saturday, October 8th at 2:00 pm. following a private family service at the cemetery at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Harry’s memory to the Nature Center, the Rail Trail or a nature preservation cause.