Mr. Harry James Hawken

Birth date: March 29, 1927

Date of death: December 17, 2023

Obituary

Harry James Hawken was born in Cobalt Ont. on March 29th, 1927, and passed away in Rockland, Ont. on December 17th, 2023 in his 97th year.

Harry was the youngest of eight children of Herbert and Ada Hawken (nee Snuggs), surviving siblings Bill, Emma, Hazel, Art, Tom, Dolly and Ruth. He grew up in Cobalt, with his eldest sister Emma raising him due to his mother’s serious illness. When he turned 18 in March 1945, he enlisted, undergoing military training for the Pacific; he was awarded the War Medal 1939-45, but the war ended prior to his deployment. A 1946 graduate of the Haileybury School of Mining, he married the late Margaret Barker in 1947 (deceased 2007), with whom he had four children. He worked in Timmins area mines until 1954, when he left Pamour Mine with his young family for New Liskeard, where he began a career with the Ontario Department of Highways, retiring in 1986 as District Engineering Office Supervisor. He later married Dorothy Simpson (nee Stewart), mother of seven children, who predeceased him in 2016.

Throughout his life he enjoyed various interests and hobbies, notably taking and processing photographs, geology/rock collecting and reading. He also undertook a stint in the militia in the 1950s as a signaler with the Algonquin Regiment (during its period as an armoured regiment).

He is survived by: his children Bill Hawken (Jacquie), Betty Goodkey (Jerry), Shirley Swartz (Allan) and Jamie Hawken (Beth); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and his stepchildren Stewart Simpson (Clara Lafontaine), Douglas Simpson (Cory Murray), Patricia Simpson (Ross Macdonald), Harvey Simpson, Andrew Simpson (Mary Ann Paulen), Wynn Anne Sibbald (Stephen) and Christine Willoughby (Robert).

Heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of Rockland Manor for their superb care and friendship toward Harry and his family over the past seven years.

Those wishing to commemorate Harry’s life are encouraged to donate to a local pet shelter/humane society, perform an act of kindness for someone, or undertake any other beneficial action of their choice.

Celebration of Life arrangements will be communicated at a later date.

Funeral Details

La célébration de la vie d’Harry auront lieu à une date ultérieure.

Celebration of Life arrangements will be communicated at a later date.

THEO BRUNET & SONS
FUNERAL HOME

2419 Laurier Street
Rockland, Ont. 613-446-4691

Condolences at www.brunetfuneralhome.ca

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Patricia Simpson 2023-12-22 12:25:01
Your tribute to Harry is lovely. Ross and I send our love and sincere condolences to the Hawken clan, and loving friends of Harry, and to my Simpson clan, especially those closest at hand in Welland area during his Welland years. With much gratitude and appreciation for the years Harry devoted to our mother Dorothy, Ross and Pat
Don Hawken 2023-12-21 18:03:55
My most sincere condolences for your loss. I chiefly remember Harry as the youthful uncle who took time to interact with my brothers and myself as children on visits.
Ray & Muriel Lebeau 2023-12-21 08:45:46
To Bill, Jacquie & Family Members, Muriel and I send our love and heartfelt condolences on the passing of Bill's Dad. Mr. Harry Hawken lived a wonderful life and everyone was blessed by having him in their lives for 97 years. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God Bless.
Pierre Simpson 2023-12-20 23:50:35
My deepest condolences to family and friends and all those who loved Harry. His kind and congenial presence was always so great at family get-togethers. He was a supportive and loving partner to my grandma. His kind words and sharp-as-a-tack wit will be missed. Such a rich long life he lived. May your great memories of him help you through this difficult time.
Danielle Goyette 2023-12-20 14:23:07
Dear Bill , Jackie and family. So sorry to hear about Harry’s death. I had the pleasure to have known him for several years among you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time.
Dolores Sauvé 2023-12-20 08:01:01
To Harry’s family, Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss. Before he was transferred to the care section, Harry and I used to chat a lot about Northern Ontario. It was such a pleasure for me to listen to him talking about his experiences building the roads in Northern Ontario. I will miss him at our concerts. I think he enjoyed the fact that I spoke English too.
Jacques et Jacqueline Thivierge 2023-12-19 15:17:33
Our condolences to the whole family.
Lorraine Pauline Séguin 2023-12-19 14:26:27
My deepest sympathy for the lost of this great man.