Memories of Harry Richard Sumner

In memory of

Harry Richard Sumner

Parksville, BC, Canada

May 1, 1948 - August 27, 2018

May 1, 1948 - Aug 27, 2018

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Marco Isings

Worked and hiked with harry in Alberta. What a great guy with great cookies. Loved to talk and work with plants with him. See you in the forest!

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Comments:

Miriam (Mimi) Shell

Thank you so much, Marco. I remember you and all the good times you had with Harry. Hope you are well. Thank you so much, Marco. I remember you and all the good times you had with Harry. Hope you are well. Thank you so much, Marco. I remember you and all the... Read more

Stefania Lynn Bell

We remember Harry as one of the nicest people we know. His gentleness, his laughter, his special way of greeting us
He amazed me by sharing stories of the many and varied employment experiences..

You will always have a special place in my heart❣️
Your forever friend.

I

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Shelagh Brennan

Thinking of you Mimi...What a great photo of Harry. Will always remember his stories and great hugs!

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Alan Huggett

It is with great sadness that I have heard of my cousin Harry's death. I will always remember his passion for life, his breadth of knowledge of all things dirt and plant. I regret that we will not be with you in Parksville on Saturday October 20th for the memorial of Harry's life. Miriam, Diana, Corrina, and family our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love,
Alan, Lia and Kim.
Prince George, BC

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Barb Atkins

2018, Courtenay, BC, Canada

It was 2013 when I was blessed with the joy of meeting Harry through his wife Mimi who played bluegrass music. It was Harry's broad smile, his gentle mannerism, and wonderful sense of humor that captivated me as one of his friends. He was such a wonderful cook, vegetarian, and I was invited to share a meal at their home. It was then I was introduced to some of talents. One outstanding memory was when he showed me a beautiful needle basket he had woven out of extremely large pine needles. Truly a work of art. I had prior experience weaving willow baskets and my patience was dwindling before I was half way through. When I saw the needle basket Harry had made, I realized this man had truly mastered patience! With that and his beautiful garden that I visited yearly just to see the jasmine and wonderful plants that he grew and share some laughs. I miss him dearly and hope you keep playing your tunes Mimi. Maybe someday, we could write and play and song for him as he so enjoyed the music that was shared.

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Marian and Gord Kennedy

2008, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

The year was 2008 and we had just moved from Ontario to the island and were building a house. We were introduced to Harry and Mimi through mutual friends and immediately liked both of them. We sought Harry's guidance for replacing the soil around the house, the types of plants to grow, etc. and leaned heavily on him for his knowledge. Growing plants on the island is vastly different from Ontario!
Last year, he came to the house to prune some of the trees we had planted as they didn't look too healthy. Harry pruned the trees and with his love and care, they are now looking wonderful and healthy.
Harry was, as described by others, a big soft marshmallow with a huge heart and love of nature.
Our hearts and prayers go to Mimi and the family, he is sadly missed by all.

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Scott Swanson

I’ve known Harry for around 7 years. I felt an instant connection with him and I am honoured to have known him. He had a warm and gentle spirit and always made me feel calm and welcomed. I loved it when he would impart his amazing knowledge on a wide range of interests. I will miss Harry.

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Stefania Lynn Bell

Sincere condolences Mimi and family. We will all miss
Harry!
May you find comfort from your many friends, music and remembrance of the many years you shared together.

Doug and Lynn

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Stefania Lynn Bell

Harry and I were “BEST DEAF FRIENDS”, Harry profoundly so, I much less.

We felt like kindred spirits in many ways. As we talked over many years, Harry related experiences that he said he had never shared with anyone. I felt honoured by his trust.

His love of nature, especially plants, was profound and his love and enthusiasm were infectious.

I shall forever miss his cheery “ Hi Doug, coffee is on” and his charming smile.

Harry is, I am sure, as surprised to be dead as I am that he left us all too soon.

Put in a good word for us Harry!
Doug

This tribute to Harry is for Doug McLean

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earl ohara

2018, Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada

harry was my friend. I met him thanks to a musical connection with his wife..I had recently retired and started a new part time job gardening, and didn't really know the trade, and found myself coming to harry with questions , and questions, and more questions. Harry gave more than answers. He shared shared his knowledge and enthusiasm with a smile and a gentle perspective that was , well, friendly. I would go home and check his answers on " google ", and he was always spot on and remarkably accurate . A year or two passed , and a change occurred . I found myself looking things up on " google " and then stopping by Harrys place to check up on " google "..I miss my friend. Harry was appreciated. Cheers eo

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Linda Tenney

Oh Mimi! I’m so sorry to hear of Harry’s sudden passing. I wish you peace during this time of grief and reflection on your life together. Sweet memories will prevail and comfort your days ahead. Love and hugs! - Linda Tenney

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Lynne and Ross Murray

2012, Qualicum Bay, BC, Canada

Early on in my experience of Island time, Harry graciously came and spent an afternoon with me in my garden, coaching me. He had such a passion for plants and all the organisms that made for a healthy garden! His stories of how native and ornamental plants interact with the soil, bugs, other plants and pests 🦌 were so engaging. I remember thinking that there is so much going on beneath the surface that I never had imagined. It is Harry's soft but animated voice that I hear when I inspect my yard to this very day!
Harry was such a unique and lovely human being. We will hold those lovely memories close.

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Carla. Flegel

I remember the very first time Harry showed up for a Sketchy Friends Sketching event. He was sporting his HUGE welcoming smile and feeling a bit intimidated by this new prospect. He had his board with paper on it, some pencils and erasers and ... he was READY to try this new thing ... to sketch, record, observe, be a part of the world around him. He perched on a bench in the sun, looked around and he started to draw. He was totally absorbed by the act of sitting drawing and observing. In the end he was somewhat surprised that he “did it”. But ... he knew that he wanted to do it again, and knew he enjoyed it. His knowledge of the world around him that he had gained from years of coaxing plants and trees to bend to human whim had shown him how to record their natural beauty. Harry proudly invited his “sketchy Friends” to share a sunny afternoon of sketching in his beloved garden and sharing our pot luck lunches. It was such access to such a personal expression of his love of the plants and garden. I was very touched to be invited into this beautiful garden.
It was always a delight to have Harry join us in our sketching adventures. Such a gentle soul and observer of his world around him. Carla Flegel and all Harry’s Sketchy Friends

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Stefania Lynn Bell

Sincere condolence to you, Mimi.
I pray your sadness is quickly replaced with great memories of Harry.

See you soon❣️
Lynn

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Stefania Lynn Bell

Looking at the photo of Harry and seeing his smile makes me sad and glad. Sad that his finally journey happened so suddenly and far too soon, but very glad to know he was part of my life.

He was truly a gift to all who knew him. I loved his sense of humour,
quick wit and his appreciation of my own sense of humour. He was quick to laugh always.

I enjoyed our conversations and his sharing his life experiences. He never expected anything and never appeared to judge or criticize anyone.

It was interesting to see his love of his art and development. I found his sketches were my favorites.

I will hold to my joy of knowing him.

Even when we cannot be with him, he will be in our hearts Forever.

With love to Great memories, thank you.
Lynn

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Miriam (Mimi) Shell

1983, Victoria, BC, Canada

"Very early on when we were just getting to know each other, while visiting Harry in Victoria one evening, after we had been out for dinner he asked me whether I wanted to go see the submarine races before we went home. Being naive (from the prairies, I didn't think about submarines) and gullible, I said,
“What do you mean?”
To which he replied, “I’ll show you.”
By then it was twilight and getting dark. He drove to and parked on Dallas Road which follows along the coast at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. When parked there, one looks out across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Washington USA. The water looks dark and the sunset is beautiful against the Olympic Mountains.
I said, “Now what?” or something like that.
Harry reached out his arm to pull me closer to him and as he pointed apparently to show me the submarines, he pulled me gently in for one of the first wonderful kisses of many. He was so loving and marshmallowy with me, I remember the evening well. And that’s what watching submarine races meant!
Our love was true and enduring through highs and lows over four decades. My very special closest friend shared so many ideas, projects, experiences, and people with me. We dreamt, planned, wept, and laughed together. Good-bye my love. You are in my heart forever.
I may well post other stories, but now it’s your turn. Help me remember the Harry we knew and loved. Thank you!!" Read less
Shared on Oct. 4, 2018, 3:06 p.m.

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