We are heart-broken to announce the passing of Harold Robert Harrison Gladwin, 88 of Waverley on Friday, October 21, 2022. Born March 17, 1934, in Halifax, the youngest of eight children born to Harold Lanswell Gladwin & Elsie Vivian (Bradley) Gladwin. Harold will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of 64 years, Lola (Hamilton) Gladwin; his loving daughter Jayne & her husband Stephen Green, as well as their children Liam & Chelsea, who knew him as their beloved Papa, provided him such joy and of whom he was so very proud. He is also survived by sister Ethel King, Wolfville, along with numerous nieces & nephews, and Godson Stewart Adams, Windsor Junction.
Besides his parents, Harold was predeceased by sister Doris (& Wallace "Dup") Sawler, & niece Fay (& David) Clarke; sister Jean (& Clarence) Wilson; brother Carl (& Lynn, & June); brother-in-law Wilson, & nephew Paul King; sister Ida (& Orville) Murray; sister Dorothy (& Samuel) Eisenhauer; and sister Vivian Gladwin.
Harold, or Bob as he was also known, started his working life early, delivering newspapers in Halifax, and when his brother Carl went off to war, Harold served as messenger, knocking on doors nightly asking residents to turn off their lights so as not to draw attention to enemy soldiers. As a young teen, the family moved from Birmingham Street in Halifax to Waverley. He was at church with his Mother when he first saw Lola, who was staying with her cousin in Waverley. They dated for 7 years before marrying in 1958 in an intimate ceremony in their newly purchased house overlooking Lake Thomas, where they still live. Harold was an avid hockey player and he & Lola spent many hours skating together. He also played baseball and volunteered as Baseball Coach for a number of years.
He worked at the Halifax dockyards before his desire to travel led him to apply for work with Trans Canada Airlines at Shearwater (later Air Canada at Halifax International Airport). He proudly served as Shop Steward for the IAMAW, and worked in various positions from Station Attendant to Lead Hand to Load Agent; until retiring from his role as Commissary Agent in 1990 after 31 years of service. We have lots of memories of yearly family trips, exploring the countrysides of Switzerland, Italy, France & Spain, as well as the beaches of Jamaica, Barbados & Hawaii. After retirement, Harold & Lola enjoyed spending winter months in Florida for many years.
Until failing health, Harold was an active member of the Waverley Legion, and was awarded Legionnaire of the Year in 1988 & again in 2009. In 2011 he was presented with a Lifetime Membership. This was one of the few times in his life that he was taken by surprise, as he was not a man who enjoyed the spotlight, but preferred to make a difference behind the scenes.
Harold had a wonderful sense of humor and an unwavering love for his family. As a young man, he spent a lot of time with his nieces and nephews, easily earning the title of "Favorite Uncle". He was a very quiet and private man, had an unshakeable sense of honor & valued loyalty & honesty above all else.
The family wishes to thank Doctors Christine Langley, Wallace Tien & Robyn MacFarlane; VON's Jill Taylor & Susan Layden, along with home care workers Crystal Fidely & Melanie Rayner; all of whom provided exceptional loving & compassionate care.
He will be profoundly missed but we are thankful his suffering has ended and he is finally at peace. Cremation has taken place & the family invites friends to join them at an informal gathering to celebrate his life from 1-3pm on Saturday, November 26th at the Waverley Legion, 2234 Rocky Lake Drive, Waverley.
Please visit www.eirene.ca to leave your memory or a message of condolence.