Born January 30, 1936, Harry Street died on July 13, 2023, predeceased by his brother David (Estelle Guertin Gervais Street) and special brother Peter.
Before age 20, Harry owned and operated the Oakville Trafalgar Window Cleaning Business while playing goalie for the Lakeshore Merchants. He became a Salvation Army Officer in 1959, as did his first wife Carol Buckley, mother of their two sons, Benjamin Charles Barby (Beth Curley) and Peter Norman Barby (Cindy Grant.) Harry completed his undergraduate degrees at McMaster as a mature student, and a Masters in Social Work (McGill) in 1980. He worked as a counsellor in mental health and rehabilitation; as a manager in youth corrections for Boys’ Farm and Training School (Shawbridge), White Oaks Village (Hagersville), and Oakville Syl Apps Centre (Oakville); and as a board member for the Hamilton John Howard and Sudbury Youth Services. After completing contracts as Field Coordinator of Placements (School of Social Work Laurentian University), he became a full-time faculty spouse and landlord in Victoria.
Harry lived a life full of work and learning; adventures and illnesses; caring for others and exploring. He especially enjoyed sharing meals, music, games, sports, and long conversations in homes he renovated in the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. He kept his vehicles in good repair for work and road trips throughout North America. Harry loved to take things apart and see how they worked: he was a persistent audiophile.
Harry will be deeply missed by his wife Marjory Reitsma-Street. He will be fondly remembered by friends and family for his listening presence and wise questions, and for his stories, laughter, and choice words.
Thank you for the steadfastness of Dr. Shaun Humphreys, David, Brigitte, and Stephanie in the past years, and the calm end of life care of the Victoria Hospice Staff.
The Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 2:00 pm, in the Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria. Private interment in Victoria , British Columbia, and Oakville, Ontario.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
18 Responses
Our thoughts are with the family and our sympathies go to to Marjorie, Ben and Peter.
Marjory,
Sending you love. Tonight, Brenda and I will walk the dogs by the house on Kings Street that will always be “Marj and Harry’s House” and we will reflect on the years you shared there. One of my warmest memories of Harry is how he sought to protect you from the demands of students and researchers (like me!) who would leave draft papers on your porch to review while also being continually welcoming and supportive once inside your home.
Love Bruce, with love from Brenda, Celeste and Jay.
Dear Marge, I’m so deeply sorry to hear about Harry’s passing. As you know he was much loved by me and my father. And he had a very special relationship with my dad. I will always a remember them together, watching hockey, while sharing incredibly witty banter along side deep philosophical discussions. And did you know we still have the sound system that Harry helped my dad buy? Sounds amazing to this day, so his gift of music continues on. All my love.
Marjory: It was a shock to me to read of Harry’s death in today’s obituaries. But then, I have not seen Harry for a number of years. I am surely sorry for your loss.
I learned some new things about Harry in reading his obituary; was reminded about others, and certainly agreed with the description of his attributes and qualities.
Another of “The Old Farts” (remember them?) comes to the end of life. Take good care of yourself. Losing one’s life partner leaves one with many memories to live with, but also takes a long while to fully come to terms with – at least, that’s how I have found it. Sincerely.
Dear Cousin Marj,
It has been many years since I last saw you or Harry, but I remember him fondly, and I offer you my deepest sympathy for your loss of your loving partner in life.
Love always,
Laura
Harry: You are sadly missed. You were a real dear soul. Your easy manner relating to others was heart warming. I thought very highly of you even when I first met you. I quickly grew to admire you. Thank you for your friendship and kindness to my husband.
Harry (and Marjory):
Thanks for welcoming me into your life. Thanks for your support in the many challenges I threw at you.
Your brother-in-law Y.
For 25 years I’ve known Harry as my dear friend Marj’s supportive husband. He was good company. He opened my ears to exciting recorded music. And he brought the blues harp into my life (thanks Harry)!
But only recently I came to appreciate his deep compassion, intelligence and wit as he shared his ideas, concerns and memories with me. Marj, you have been much blessed in having such a fine person share your life for those many years.
I’m glad that I got to know Harry. He had a very good sense of Humor and sometimes we would kibitz back and forth. We made each other laugh. I will miss him and his jokes. B
Harry is the husband of my dear Ffriend, Marjory; and he was very dear to me, even though I didn’t know him well. I told Marjory once that the only way I could describe my sense of Harry was that he was cheesecake — smooth, rich, weighty without being heavy, and something you always want more of. I was honoured to be able to say goodbye to him hours before he died. All blessings on your next journey, Harry — wherever you understand that to be. Love all-ways