Harry Frederick Rogers (Feb. 13, 1919 - Oct. 7, 2008) passed away peacefully on
Tuesday. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Ivy; his
son Fred Rogers and his wife Peggy; his daughter Alison Uhrbach and her
husband Corvin; grandsons Jason Rogers and his girlfriend Chelsey Thomas, and
Mark Uhrbach and his wife Heidi; granddaughters Kim Hyrlik and her husband
Michal, and Karen Davison and her husband Anthony; and great-granddaughter
Ella Uhrbach. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at
First Metropolitan United Church in Victoria.
Harry was born in Calgary. He had an older brother, Ross. Harry attended
school in Calgary, majoring in Electronics and completing Senior
Matriculation at Calgary Technical High School. He held a series of
temporary jobs, the longest of which was at Massey-Harris Farm Machinery.
In 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a Pilot
Officer Observer, later known as a Navigator/Bomb Aimer. He was posted to
the #7 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron at Allliford Bay in the Queen
Charlotte Islands in B.C. From there he participated in hundreds of
anti-submarine patrols over the Pacific Ocean.
After his discharge, he returned to Calgary to begin university and court
his soulmate. He was successful in both operations. He married Ivy Smart on
Aug. 10, 1946. They shared a small apartment while Harry took courses in
Electrical Engineering at the University of Alberta.
Harry got a job at Edmonton Telephones, where he would work for over 30
years. For the last 15 years of his career, he was Chief Engineer. He
and Ivy also moved into a house and started a family. They had two children:
a son, Fred, and a daughter, Alison. The family was active at Metropolitan
United Church (later Knox-Metropolitan United Church). Harry was a founding
member of the 2-by-2 Couples Club, a member of the Men's Club and a member
of the church's board. In 1986 Harry and Ivy moved to Victoria, where Harry
continued to be active at First Metropolitan Church. He was a member of the
Property Committee, the ActiMets Club and the Handbell Choir. He also took
up the sport of lawnbowling, and was a president of the executive of the
Victoria Lawn Bowling Club.
Harry was always willing to help in any way he could, but was never
concerned with how the credit was divided. The success of an event or
organization was his reward.
Harry had a passion for music, one he shared with his wife. He enjoyed
listening to opera and symphony, and loved dancing with Ivy at the Les Amies
club in Edmonton. He was also an avid reader, especially mystery, theology
and geography books. He always kept a map on hand, and often used them to
plan fascinating vacations for his family. After retiring in 1979, he and
Ivy did even more traveling. Harry particularly loved places where he could
sit in the sun and relax.
Harry loved spending time with his children, his grandchildren and, in the
past year, his great-granddaughter. His love extended not only to his
family, but also to friends who became honorary family members.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Music Committee of First Metropolitan
United Chruch or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
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