PASSING - Harold Ghent - The RCR

[Tim Robinson]

Unfortunately some information that was received only last last week regarding a RCR WWII veteran who served in Sicily, Italy and the European campaign and was a member of the Association at one time.

GHENT, Harold Davidson
February 28, 2010
Location: Cambridge

GHENT, Harold Davidson 1914 - 2010 His wish was finally granted “to go home to see Jesus and Alice” on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Fairview Mennonite Home in Cambridge, surrounded by his loving family and caring staff. Together Harold and his wife Alice raised eight children (two and a half-dozen as Alice would say). When asked “Eight children? How did you do it?" Dad would reply with a grin, “We called it co-operation.” Loving father of Jo Ann Brown (Martin), Cambridge; Dawn Powell (John), Kelowna B.C.; John (Janice), Oakville; Doug (Sharon), Petersburg; Hugh (Claire), Deep River; Paul (Liz), Peru; Nancy Snyers (Jean Pierre), Belgium; and Barbie Vlasov (John), St. George. Proud grandfather of 27 and great-grandpa of 17. Harold was born and raised in Mount Forest and held the 6th (Concession) of Arthur close to his heart. Although his formal education finished at Grade nine, he never stopped learning. Very well-read, he'd carry on spirited debates wherever life took him - in barnyards, on the rails or in the lumber camps of Northern Ontario. Serving overseas for six years during the Second World War, he marched through Sicily as part of the 1st Canadian Army (Royal Canadian Regiment) and saw active duty all through the Italian Campaign and the Liberation of Holland. Upon his return to Canada, Harold married Alice Effie Brown. The Co-op movement became his passion as he watched fellow servicemen struggle to find their place in a post-war society. In 1956, Harold and Alice settled in Ayr and later became the owners of Ghent’s Home Hardware in Preston, where Harold was a King Street fixture. An activist even in retirement, he took the principles learned in his years with the Co-op to the Cree reservations of Northern Ontario. With a passion for the poor, he and Alice spent eight years working with Latin American Missions at the Roblealto Orphanage in Costa Rica. Several more years were spent collecting and planting trees native to Ontario on his property in Ayr. On buying his last chainsaw at ninety and when questioned about his safety in using it, Harold replied, “How many 90-year-olds have you heard of that died from using a chain saw?” Harold was always very active in the ministry of the church, both at Forward Baptist Church in Cambridge and later at Maranatha Baptist Church in Paris. The last of his generation, Harold was predeceased by his seven brothers and sisters, two infant grandsons, and Alice, his wife of 61 years. Failing eyesight, diminished hearing and physical limitations after two strokes in 2005 only deepened Dad’s desire to “go home”. Now he has regained his sight, his hearing, his limitations are gone and he is with his dearest companions. At Dad’s request, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Forward Baptist Church, 455 Myers Rd., Cambridge on Thursday, March 4th, 7-9 p.m., and Friday morning, 10-11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of his life from 11-12 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fairview Mennonite Home, which became a second home for them. And now they are perfect together.

[Fred Doucette]

Sincere condolences to the Ghent family and friends, thank you for your service to Canada and the RCR, rest in peace, Pro Patria.