Veteran Thomas Henry Harding,
Sergeant Rtd (RCAF)
June 19, 1922- June 4, 2012
With family holding his hands, Poppy left us peacefully on Monday June 4th, 2012. Many loved ones will mourn his passing.
Our beloved husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, is survived by wife Eileen Harding – six children; Graham (Kathleen), Margaret (Milton), Frederick Gordon, Kenneth (Kathy), Catherine (Harvey), Laurie. He also has - 17 Grandchildren and 19 Great Grandchildren (#20 on the way). Tom was predeceased by parents Lucy E. Round and Frederick T. Harding, brother Frederick, sisters Lou Howlett (Cliff) and Edith Fidler (Jack). He has two nephews Ron and Greg Howlett.
Tom was born in Victoria and was a YMCA member in the early 30’s. Prior to enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air force, he joined the militia at 16 years of age. He served in the (RCAF) as an air craft mechanic for 29 years and was stationed in Coal Harbour and Haida Gwaii servicing airplanes during the war. Tom and Eileen were married in Comox where he was stationed on the air base. They were then transferred to Cold Lake Alberta (CFB). The growing family then transferred to Uplands airbase in Ottawa before moving back to CFB Cold Lake to retire from the air force. The family moved to Nanaimo in 1971 where he worked as a commissionaire and managed Brian Ball’s stationary.
In 1977 Eileen and Tom moved to Peachland to create a beautiful oasis while Tom commuted to Kelowna to manage another stationary store. They moved to Summerland in 1991 to build a new home and another Garden of Eden until poor health required a move back to the island to Mill Bay where family could care for him. The family was blessed to have him here on Vancouver Island for his final years. He was such a sweetheart and cherished by all who knew him. His beautiful smile and spirit made all feel better, just by being in his presence. He was noted for a fondness of ice cream.
A Celebration of Poppy’s Life was held on Tuesday,
June 12th at 11:00 am – at St. John’s Anglican Church at 3295 Cobble Hill Road in Cobble Hill. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Red Cross, as they helped to make Poppy’s life more comfortable in his last days at home. The family is ever grateful for the compassion and care from Dr. Wilson(s) and the staff at Cowichan Valley hospital in his final days. Rest in Peace Poppy, you will be in our hearts always.