Harold passed away peacefully at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa, Ontario on August 27, 2021. Son of the late Karl and Elizabeth Wirth, he was predeceased by his beloved wife Melody in 2016, his sisters, Martha, Helen and Olga “Ollie” and his brothers, Walter, Eddie, Willie “Bill” and Herman. He is survived by his son Christopher (Johanne) and his brother Chalmers (Eileen). Affectionately know as “Opa”, Harold will be missed by his grandchildren, Alexander, François and Véronique. Harold was born in Edenwold, Saskatchewan and attended the University of Saskatchewan. He then taught school in a one room schoolhouse in rural Saskatchewan before joining the Canadian Armed Forces where he served from 1950 to 1974, including as a helicopter pilot. Following his retirement from the military, he joined the Federal Civil Service with the Department of Northern Affairs until his retirement at age 65 when he continued his passion for golf by joining the Royal Ottawa Golf Club where he could be found most days on the course. The family would like to express their appreciation to the healthcare staff at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre for the compassionate care Harold received there.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario. A memorial celebration of Harold’s life will then be held at 2:00pm, followed by an urn interment and reception. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada at alzheimer.ca.
Digital Guestbook
Serge Laperrière
Elisabeth Kriegler
A great colleague and a long time friend. Hal will be missed.
Bonnie Wirth
Rest easy dear Uncle!
Michael Rowe
A treasured and beloved presence in my life since 1969, a man of great kindness and worthy of the deepest respect. Truly the end of an era. Rest well, Hal, and thank you for your kindness all those years. Give Melody my love.
Chalmers and Eileen Wirth, Roxanne Greene
We appreciated the service and Christopher’s words of his dad. The memories shared meant a lot. Thank you.
Berzoor Popatia and Family, Toronto
A beautiful warm ceremony with much to learn about the life, challenges and contributions of Harold and his family. We send our love, prayers and wishes for strength, unity and perspective to bear this loss and continue to celebrate Harold’s life with gratitude.
I will be present on the 11th.