Harry Whalen (1920 — Dec 3, 2021)

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Harry Whalen on December 3rd, 2021. Dad was happiest going on adventures, attending musicals, playing euchre, and telling jokes. However, he was most comfortable spending time with his wife Brenda, and his family, four children, seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, at his beloved Kahshe Lake cottage. 

My parents first came to know Kahshe Lake after vacationing at Ed Day's camp on South Kahshe Lake Road during the summer of 1948. Ten years later, they came back to buy a tent from Mrs. Beezner, who owned a "retreat" on Kahshe Lake. The retreat was a one-room cabin with a bed, a table, and four chairs. There was no electricity, water, or an indoor toilet. She asked if they were interested in buying the retreat for $1000. My parents explained that they didn't have any money to spare with three young children and a mortgage, but Mrs. Beezner suggested that they pay her as little as $10 or $20 a month, and my parents agreed. 

My mother, two brothers, and sister stayed at the cottage all summer, and dad joined us on weekends. My dad, a bricklayer by trade, spent all his free time upgrading the cabin for his family. Some of his first tasks were clearing the land and installing electricity, bringing a hydro pole up to the cottage on the roof of his station wagon. Each weekend Dad would make the drive up from the city to join us occasionally in our play but mainly to work on the cottage. After he retired, Dad and Mom would stay at the cottage for the summer. Dad enjoyed puttering around the cabin and building new structures with recycled wood and nails. He would also pick blueberries in the forest so that Mother could make one of her delicious blueberry pies. They also loved playing euchre at the Gravenhurst Seniors' center and swimming in the healing waters of Kahshe Lake. 

For his 98th birthday, we went to see Come from Away, and I arranged for the cast to sing him “Happy Birthday.” On his 99th birthday, we took a cable car ride across the Niagara River. Sadly, on his 100th birthday, we could not have a big celebration because of the pandemic restrictions. Instead, we gathered in the seniors' home parking lot and sang “Happy Birthday” while Mom and Dad watched from the courtyard. For Dad's 101st birthday, we had a small party with family and friends at my cousins' place on South Kahshe Lake Road, and as Dad was a Newfie, I asked each person to tell a joke. As each person read from their phone, Dad responded with two puns off the top of his head. The next day our neighbour Larry, a proud Newfie, and his family came up for a drink, and we had a wonderful time sitting around and talking, telling jokes, and listening to Newfie music. With the help of my brother and me, Dad even ventured into Kahshe Lake. You may have seen him proudly wearing a t-shirt with 101 written on the back. 

In September of 2021, Dad had an operation and spent the remainder of his days in bed. I was fortunate to be holding his hand when he took his last breath. Although we will all miss his smile and kindness, we hope he is now dancing with the angels and telling jokes to a whole new crowd in heaven.