Obituary of Harry Hooke

Hooke, Harry G. (Hal), BSc Forestry, 1930 - 2013 Hal died peacefully at Centennial Place in Millbrook on July 8, 2013. He is predeceased by his parents Hilda C. (Hahn) and Harry W. Hooke and his son David Eric (1970). He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Katharine N. (Grier), his children Pamela (Paul Seabrooke), Suzanne (Fred Wood) and his grandchildren Kate Mulvale (Sam Beszelzen), Beth Mulvale, Alex, James and Charlie Hooke-Wood. Hal is also survived by his sister, Natalie McMinn and her children and his sister-in-law, Bea Morris and her children. He will be fondly remembered by Mike Mulvale. Hal was born and raised in Toronto and his love and appreciation of the outdoors led him to Forestry at University of Toronto where he discovered an equal love for Kay Grier. After graduating and marrying in 1954, they moved to Exeter where Hal was Field Officer for the Ausable and Maitland Conservation Authorities. By 1961, with a family of three, they moved to Peterborough to be closer to family and Hal became Field Officer at the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority. In 1965 Hal was seconded to the provincial government's Select Committee on Conservation Authorities as a technical advisor. With the conclusion of the committee, Hal accepted a position as Director of Part-time Studies at Trent University from 1968 - 1977 and Principal of Julian Blackburn College. In 1977, Hal returned to ORCA as General Manager until his retirement in 1994. During those years Hal served on a number of boards and committees such as the Peterborough Parks Board, Soil Conservation Society of America, and Chair of Katimavik. He was a founding member of the Friends of the Trent-Severn Waterway and served on the Canada Ontario Rideau Trent Survey committee. Hal and family spent their summers at Singkettle Island on Stoney Lake, a simple and treasured oasis where Hal could relax with his family, putter about and encourage the natural growth of their island. Singkettle was a much loved home. During the winter months, they enjoyed weekends of downhill skiing at Devil's Elbow where Hal was a patient instructor of his children and their friends. His love of outdoors carried over to family ventures such as tree-planting, Sunday drives and participating each spring at the Warsaw sugarbush. He delighted in his role as de facto family photographer which allowed him to capture these family times. Hal's respect and enjoyment of the outdoors has been instilled into the lives of his beloved children and grandchildren and is a valued legacy. The family gratefully thanks the professional and caring team of Heritage House at Centennial Place in Millbrook for their compassion and outstanding care for Hal over the last 7 years. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 22, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church at 99 Brock St. in Peterborough with reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Otonabee Conservation Foundation or the Alzheimer's Society of Canada would be gratefully accepted and may be made by contacting THE HENDREN FUNERAL HOMES, LAKEFIELD CHAPEL at www.hendrenfuneralhome.com or by calling 705-652-3355.