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Posted Feb 6, 2025 | 11:27 AM
Harvey, Roger J
1924 – 2025
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Roger passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb 2, 2025 at the Quinte Gardens Retirement Residence, Belleville in his 101st year.
Predeceased by parents Lewis and Amanda Harvey ; and brother Milo (Edna) ; sister Lila; and brother Norman (Elsie). Best friend and dearly beloved husband for 73 years of the late Patricia (nee Robinson). Proud father of James Harvey (Maureen); Susan Deveau (Steve); Nancy Couch (Ken) ; Brenda Timpson (the late David); and Andrew Harvey. Loving grandad of Stacey ( Randy), Paul (Holly), Roger (Angie), Mark (Amanda), Mary, Rob ( Kate Anne), Lynzi ( Richard), Ben and Ania. Adored great-grandfather (GG) of 15 amazing great-grandchildren. Loved by many nieces and nephews.
Roger was raised by pioneering parents on a Saskatchewan homestead near Hendon Sask. He went to a one-room school. For grade 12 he travelled to Wadena Sask. where he graduated top of his class. From 1942-1946 Roger was a Mechanical Engineer student at the U of Saskatchewan 1942-1946. Here he was heavily involved in sports including playing for the Huskies Football team and wrestling.
His summer jobs included prairie harvesting, railway brakeman, and ship building in Vancouver and Prince Rupert). Roger also had a career as an officer in the Navy. Acting as Lieutenant Engineer, he worked on the tribal class destroyers “Haida” and the “Nootka”.
Roger worked 37 years in engineering management positions with Bell Canada. Special assignments included Goose Bay and Saudi Arabia. He worked mostly in Montreal and Belleville where he was one of the founding members at Bell’s Technical Training School. Upon retirement Roger taught some engineering courses at Loyalist College and then worked for Royal Lepage Real Estate for 27 years.
Roger was very active with the Kiwanis Club. He was a past president and received the Legion of Honour 50 years service. Roger was instrumental in initiating the “Terrific Kids” Program in Belleville, Trenton, Picton, Tweed and Madoc.
In his spare time Roger loved gardening, barbecuing and camping. The family enjoyed camping trips across Canada from as far away as BC to PEI and several times to Cape Cod, USA. He especially enjoyed camping and lying on the white sandy beaches at the Sandbanks. Regular trips back to Roger’s home in Saskatchewan were part of the family’s travels too.
Special thanks to the staff at Quinte Gardens who cared for and supported Roger for 13 years. Extra special thanks to the wonderful workers on the 2nd floor.
A funeral service for Roger will be held Tuesday February 11, 2025 at 1pm, at Eastminster United Church with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow. There will be a family graveside service afterwards. The service will be Live Streamed with access provided on the Burke Funeral Home’s website on Roger’s obituary site. On-line condolences may be left at www.burkefuneral.ca . As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Eastminster United Church or a charity of your choosing.