Harry, as he was known, passed away in his sleep March 6, 2020 at 7:30 am at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Harry was a modest man yet he was brilliant, curious. His accomplishments were many, such as becoming a surgeon by starting university at the age of 16. Yet, Harry was always humble.
Harry was always helping people and contributing to the world around him. Even at the age of 90, his impeccable mind was alert and open. Harry loved to debate many points of view. The joke was Harry loved to work, but even more, he loved to retire, which he did three times. He took up windsurfing and playing hockey full time. He was 60. Retired. Sort of. Time to remarry. Along comes his new wife, Paddy Rowland. Their marriage continued 29 years, until his death.
Harry returned to surgery at the 3 local hospitals, and also mentored and taught UBC satellite medical students. He practiced medicine until he was 80, assisting at Royal Jubilee Hospital which he often said was good fun.
Harry also enjoyed volunteer work where he mentored child musicians at the UJam society and 2 trips to Guatemala on surgical missions. With Paddy, he enjoyed travel and meeting people. Harry and Paddy flew to China where he walked the Great Wall, to France and Italy where they learned to cook and to Turkey where he explored and climbed many ruins. On a Florida cruise, Harry insisted he and his wife dance at every music stage on the ship. Harry was a devoted and kind husband.
Harry loved to read books as he loved new ideas. He also loved to laugh. After all his monogram is HAH. Far Side comics and the Peanuts comic strip of Charles Schultz were favourites. As Harry played Antiques Hockey until he was 80, he was thrilled to spend many summers in California competing in an old-timers’ hockey tournament at Charles Shultz’s ranch in Santa Rosa. Harry met the Peanuts creator who was also a hockey player with two full-size hockey rinks at his ranch.
Harry was also an amazing cryptic crossword solver. Recently, he and Paddy enjoyed the company of many Victorians through Camosun Gyro friendship club. Harry loved his role at Gyro which was arranging for interesting speakers at the club. Harry Hyde was a happy, inspirational man who loved all sorts of people.
Dad loved, and was proud of, all the children he cared for. His eldest son, John, now living at Black Creek with his wife Elaine Prodor, is a bass player. Their daughter, Harry’s first grandchild, Emily, now lives in the United Kingdom. Harry’s eldest daughter, Patricia, is a nurse, and lives with her partner Bert East in Calgary. His youngest daughter Nancy, is a recreational therapy aide, who lives with her partner Alf McLaughlin, also in Calgary. His youngest son, George, lives in Edmonton and recently retired from the Canadian National Railway.
Harry also loved his four step-children from his wife, Patricia Rowland-Hyde. These children are the twins, Justin and Jason Whittaker, and daughter Evan Whittaker in Victoria. Their youngest daughter Katie Lee, lives in Ottawa with her husband Ryan Lee and Harry always delighted in the rambunctious joy of his two grand-daughters, Mary and Sophia Lee.
A family service occurred March 13th, returning Harry to the earth in a forest with plants, (under an oregon grape) and trees at the Royal Oak Burial Grounds. He did not like ferns.
The amazing, kind, great man Henry Alexander Hyde will be truly missed.
Special thanks to the staff of The Victoria Cancer Care Clinic, Saanich Peninsula Hospital Palliative Care, and Community Health Services.
A Celebration of Life will occur this summer 2020 and all friends and family are invited to attend and remember our beloved Dr. Harry Hyde. For information contact paddy.hyde42@gmail.com. (Dr. Hyde’s widow, Paddy) 250-595-8985.
Please consider donations to The Victoria Cancer Clinic, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, or a society close to his heart, UJAM (u-jam.ca).
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
15 Responses
Dr. Harry Hyde was a brilliant man who made contributions in many fields.
However, he must be remembered for the year-long review of Alberta nursing homes which he conducted 1981 – 1982.
Report and Recommendations, Alberta Nursing Home Review Panel, March 1982.
A Report is available at the Regina University library.
A timely matter.
Our sincerest condolences to the family.
To those to whom Harry was.. Harry. I was an intern At the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton 1969-70. Dr. Hyde was a joy to be around. One night I assisted him in doing emerge surgery os a trauma victim with a ruptured spleen. All ended up well but it was a night to remember.
Many years later when I had an administrative role at the hospital, Harry was always in arrears with his ‘charting”. He so disliked writing up reports that he miss-placed his charts in other doctors slots just to not do the paperwork! I was doing an obituary search for another doctor in Victoria and came across this notice. A lovely man and I was saddened to hear of his passing.
Pat, so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I remember him well. Fond memories of us growing up. Take care, Myrne
Dear Paddy,
Don and I were so saddened to see the notice about Harry in the Times Colonist the other day. We wish you and your family comfort in your grief for a very wonderful man. It was always so evident, each time we saw you, that the two of you had found something very special together. I guess, at this point, that your memories will help keep that specialness alive for you.
I am glad that we had the opportunity for a long talk with you both at the party for Don in October and remember how well Harry seemed at that time, in spite of his health difficulties then.
With our very sincere condolences to you and your family,
Jane and Don’t Milliken
Harry’s character and conduct personified so many of the virtues prized in every society: honesty, integrity, kindness, modesty, reliability, composure, and service to others. Combined with his high intelligence, intellectual curiosity, affability and joie de vivre, these attributes made him a truly outstanding person. I feel very, very lucky to have known him.