DECEMBER 16, 1935 – JUNE 5, 2015
Born on December 16, 1935 on the family farm four miles west of Redvers, Saskatchewan. Harold was the fifth child of Archie and Elizabeth Purvis.
At 19, Harold purchased a half section of land and began farming. Despite his love of farming, sold his to his brother Howard.
In 1959, Harold attended the Chicago Vocational School in Edmonton to begin his mechanics training. Harold was awarded his journeyman’s status in 1965. He worked for several garages in Weyburn including Barber Motors and Elmer’s Service.
Harold married Mayvis Roberta Clark on July 9, 1960 in Carlyle, Saskatchewan. They had two children, Norma Elizabeth (1960) and Clark Dwayne (1963). Harold and Mayvis first lived in a 32’ trailer in Weyburn and later moved into the house they built on Duke Street in 1963.
In 1971, the Purvis family moved to Nelson, BC. Harold continued to work as a mechanic, first at City Auto Service and in 1974 for the BC Government Department of Highways. At the end of his career, he was foreman and also started to weld for them. He spent many hours proudly fabricating mower decks and sand boxes for the highway equipment. He retired in 1995 at the age of 59.
Once retired, he and Mayvis moved back to Weyburn where they enjoyed a wonderful retirement – square dancing and spending time with friends and family. In 2004, they moved back to BC, to Agassiz, where they could be closer to children and grandchildren.
In retirement, they enjoyed many bus trips around Canada and the US. In the last years, they spent the winters in sunny Arizona which Harold loved.
Harold is survived by his wife Mayvis, daughter Norma (Harold), son Clark (Kari), and grandchildren Matthew (Miranda), Dana (Brian), Whitney, Ian, sister Ella Hortness, brother Lorne (Donna) Purvis, sister in law Avalene Purvis and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Archie and Elizabeth Purvis, brothers Ted and Howard, and sister Elsie.
We loved him and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A Memorial Service will be held on June 20, 2015 at 1pm at Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C. with a reception to follow. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Chilliwack Hospice Society.