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
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Ruth Maria Adria, Edmonton, AB.
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Ben Mallinowski 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.
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Myrne Quaale (Fowler) Pat, so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I remember him well. Fond memories of us growing up. Take care, Myrne
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Don and Jane Milliken 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
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Carol Hart 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.
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Penny & Jack James Dear Paddy,
Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family during this time of grieving. Please know that you are not alone in remembering a truly wonderful person that meant so much to so many.
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Diana B. Green Dear Paddy,
Your Harry, he was so very special, such fun and full of interests – just like you! We so enjoyed reading the rambling description of his interests in later life. And we think back with much joy to the many adventures we shared in Provence and Italy, not to mention Ardmore. How lucky we were to have met you two upon our arrival in BC- shortly after you two had married!
Harry was always fun and interested in new experiences, but he also accomplished a great deal in the medical field and he was a superb mentor.
Hopefully he was pleased and could look back with pride and satisfaction over his years of medical practice.With luck this summer we’ll all be free to join you to celebrate our good friend Harry. In the meantime we send you loving thoughts and vibes.
Keep well.
Love, Di and Gordon.
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Marcus Dear Paddy,
I was sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. Please accept my condolences to you and to your family.
warmest regards,
Marcus
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Lynn Malin Dear Paddy
I am so sad to hear that Harry has died. I want you to know that I send you love and sympathy. As I haven’t seen you for ages nor have I seen Harry for ages. I remember some of the times we had together and I remember Harry when he was in Edmonton and worked with my Dad. He was so loved by everyone who knew him. I hope we can see each other again and catch up. I will try to get a hold of you when I next come to Victoria. My best to your family and all my good thoughts to you.
Lynn Malin
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Lorne & Marie Rosko Dear Paddy and family….Such a loss. A truly fine fellow..so many good memories!
What we once enjoyed and deeply loved …we can never lose…. For all that we love deeply… become a part of us…May the love and memories you hold in your heart always sustain you and bring you comfort in this time of sorrow. He will be missed. Our sincere sympathy
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Jackie Caithness My sincere sympathy to all of Harry’s children and to their mother Liz, his devoted wife for many years. Harry was a brilliant doctor and a very special person. He was also a very good longtime friend. Continue fulfilling your dreams on cloud nine dear Harry.
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Wolf Struck Will sorely miss my old mentor and true friend Harry. We first met in 1973 when I was a senior medical student. I spent a lot of my surgical training under Harry’s tutelage right up to when I was chief resident on his service in 1978/79. Harry was an incredibly intelligent person and a most talented and skillful surgeon. He was modest and always interested in the activities of others. Harry invited me to be his office partner in 1982 after I returned from a trauma fellowship in Detroit. I could not have had a greater honour and I was distraught when he moved to the Island. I am so proud to have had Harry as my friend!! You will be missed by many Harry!! My condolences to Paddy and all the rest of Harry’s fine family.
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Tim Relf We are so sorry to learn of Harry’s passing. I first met him as an intern in 1973 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, where Harry was a staff surgeon. Most memorable might be the midnight Sunday hockey games where Harry could stick handle around all of us 20 something interns. Only years later did I learn he had played varsity hockey and football at the University of Toronto. My wife and I met up with Harry again at the Victoria General Hospital, where he was continuing his amazing surgical career, this time as a surgical assistant. He was always up to date on current events, sports, music- literally, any topic. And was always most modest about his own achievements. One thing he could not do was tie up his OR pants properly as my wife and other nurses would frequently have to lift his OR pants and clip them in place, as they fell down during cases! Nobody complained! He will be truly missed. Jacquie and Tim
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Bob Burns Condolences – tempered with delight to have known such an interesting and delightful character as Harry. I met him in the late 70’s in Edmonton, where I was an ER physician; we played hickey together on a team called the ‘Edmonton Ailers’ …I’m sure he had a hand in naming the team!
I followed Harry to the Wet Coast in 2005, and was reacquainted while an employee of Island Health: Harry had returned to surgery and was as delighted to see me as I was to see him.
He was a witty, fun-loving guy who seemed to be perpetually smiling. My condolences to the family – but my sincere thanks as well for sharing such a terrific man.
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Beth and Scotty Rogers Dear Paddy,
We were sorry to read that Harry passed away. He always made a point of visiting with Scotty at Gyro events. We especially remember the lovely Gyro picnic the Foy’s where the two of them sat together chatting the afternoon away. He was a larger than life character who will be missed by all. We are thinking of you and send our condolences at this very sad time. Take care, Love Beth and Scotty Rogers
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.