Harold Byers

Royal Canadian Army – 1942 – 1946. England, Italy, France, Holland

Our father passed away at West Oak Village in Oakville on Sunday July the 24th in his 90th year. Predeceased by his wife Norma (nee McMurdo) (1984), his brother John (1997), and his long time companion Edith McIntyre (2007). He is survived by his daughter Martha Byers (Michael Curness), his son Dr. Robert Byers and his beautiful grandchildren of whom he was so proud, David (Tia Patrick), Adam and Julie Byers. When Dad returned to Canada in 1946 he accomplished a double major in English and French at the University of Toronto. Despite his passion for languages, his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to begin his business, Byers-Bush Ltd. in 1960, with the sole help of his father Clarence and the support of his mother Mary Belle. Dad worked tirelessly and our mother Norma ran the household. Dad loved to golf and when he wasn’t playing he was watching. He will be remembered for his dry wit. He was not an easy going man as he was mercurial in nature, which made him the dynamic man he was. He loved his dogs, any dog really, which revealed the softer side of his nature. Dad loved all things Italian, the country, the people, the culture and of course the language. Pavarotti was his man. Dad fancied himself as a tenor! He enjoyed a long life filled with travel, winters in Florida and cruises galore. Sadly, the essence of this man was slowly erased by the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. He volunteered to fight for us in World War II and was left to fight for quality of life in his final years. We miss him so very much. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please donate to Alzheimer Society of Canada.

A memorial service will be held for Harold on Wednesday July 27th at 2:00 at Ward Funeral Home, 109 Reynolds St. Oakville. (905) 844 – 3221.

Please visit Harold's Book of Memories at www.wardfuneralhome.com