August 3, 1930 - November 10, 2016
Dearest Harvey: From the day we met in February 1952 on a train in Manitoba, our relationship grew through correspondence, so what more fitting way to bring to a close our wonderful life together than sending you one more letter!
You were born on August 3, 1930 in Vancouver to Isa and Hector Bowcott, the eldest of three sons. You grew up in a happy home with loving, although somewhat stern parents doing the usual things boys do. During your high school years, summer holidays were spent working in logging camps, gaining skills which would one day serve you well. You and your classmates celebrated a rather “wet” graduation by working day and night fighting the Fraser Valley flood of 1948. Not being certain of a specific career path, you decided to give Military life a three-year try. WOW - that turned out to be a “30 year try” during which you proudly served your country as a Military Policeman in the Canadian Provost Corps. This took you to many bases across Canada including a tour of duty in Korea during that conflict. After 30 years, you thought it was time to retire but only took the weekend off before commencing work as a Special Investigator with Corrections Canada. What a great experience but after ten years, it was time for full retirement to pursue a totally different lifestyle.
Harvey - you were gifted with many abilities with just a few of them being there was very little you could not fix (well, perhaps the computer!). You could build anything whether it involved carpentry or masonry as well as almost single-handedly clearing the forest from our hillside lot which became the location of our dream home. Also, you were always ready to lend a helping hand in our community in the Chilliwack River Valley.
Through the years, you made certain your family was introduced to the wonders of nature in this beautiful country of ours by travelling and camping. Finally, now that “paid” working days were history, you were able to pursue your favourite pastime — getting behind the wheel of our RV and hitting the open road from Alaska to Texas and all points in between. Many winters were spent in the sunny south but an extra special destination was always Kalaloch on the Pacific Coast where, as you walked the beach, you carried a bag in order to pick up debris and, of course, keeping a close eye on the tide — even placing markers for the trip back. I too, carried a bag but collected unique pebbles and driftwood while our furry buddies, first Misty then Daisy, had a ball in the surf.
In 2003, after 25 years in our dream home, you felt it was time to scale down so we moved to Vernon as an almost perfect area to spend our senior years — a move never regretted. RV camping continued but as the years accumulated along with failing health, travels sadly came to an end. However, upon reflecting back, you truly were blessed with a great life, Harvey!
You will be missed more than words can express but always so lovingly remembered by me, your wife and best friend of 63 years, daughters Katherine (son-in-law Kerry), Linda (partner Bruce), special niece and nephew-in-law Corrine and Charles and dear family friends Irene and Daryl. You are also survived by grandson Alex, great-grandson Seth and many distant relatives. You are predeceased by your parents and both brothers.
Farewell, my forever love — until we meet at Rainbow Bridge!!
“Old soldiers never die — they just f-a-d-e a-w-a-y”
We, Harvey’s family, wish to extend our heartfeld gratitude to the wonderful staff at Cottage #6,
Heron Grove, for their compassionate and dedicated care which helped Harvey face his sunset months with dignity and comfort.
We also wish to express our sincere thanks to Dr. Dippenaar for his assistance and kind understanding as well as Veterans Affairs Canada for their support.