Obituary of Harvey James Osmond

It is with heavy hearts that the family of the late Harvey James Osmond announces his passing on Friday, July 15, 2022 at the Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre in Port aux Basques, his loving wife and daughter by his side. He was 83 years old. Born in Margaree, the son of the late Clifford and Gladys (nee Pope) Osmond, Harvey grew up in Channel-Port aux Basques where he moved with his parents as a small boy. Many summers during his boyhood, he made the long journey by train or ferry to his mother’s home of Stone’s Cove in Fortune Bay; he cherished his memories of Stone’s Cove with his grandparents throughout his life (making one last visit during summer 2021). After finishing high school in 1957, Harvey completed a summer teacher training program at Queen’s College in St. John’s and returned to PAB to begin his teaching career. In 1959, after further studies in St. John’s, he accepted a position at a new two room schoolhouse in the small outport of Gooseberry Cove in Trinity Bay. Shortly after his arrival, he met the beautiful young woman, Shirley Spurrell of Butter Cove, who would become his devoted wife and constant companion. They were married in the Anglican Cathedral in St. John’s in 1960. In May 1961, after completing a further year of university training, Harvey, his young bride and infant daughter took the Newfie Bullet across the island to begin their lives in PAB. He taught first in Grand Bay, where he also served as a lay reader and Sunday school teacher, and then at the high school in PAB, where he became involved with the Army Cadets, eventually completing officer training at Camp Aldershot in Nova Scotia and becoming the Shooting Range Officer. In 1968, shortly after their second daughter was born, Harvey and Shirley moved to Norris Point, where Harvey, encouraged by a lifelong friend from PAB, had applied to become the principal of the elementary school. While in Norris Point, Harvey continued with the Army Cadets and was also proud to have started the first boys’ minor hockey team. But he missed home, and in 1972, he returned to PAB, with Shirley and by now their three children. It was in Port aux Basques that he finished out his distinguished 30-year teaching career. After he retired in 1989, Harvey and Shirley moved to the east coast of the island, where Harvey built a house in Hodge’s Cove close to Shirley’s family. While there Harvey was actively involved in the local Lions’ Club and taught adult education to unemployed fishers and plant workers following the imposition of the 1992 cod moratorium. But once again, the call to home and in 1993, Harvey and Shirley moved back to the southwest coast and eventually built a home in Upper Ferry in the Codroy Valley. Harvey enjoyed a long healthy retirement pursuing his many interests from vegetable gardening and raising chickens to moose and partridge hunting, rabbit catching and berry picking. Harvey led a happy life. He cherished his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and they in turn cherished him. He was a gifted teacher and earned the respect and appreciation of his students and colleagues. He was a lifelong learner, completing his university degree by attending summer school and taking correspondence courses, and teaching himself carpentry and all manner of practical skills. He was a lover of animals and the outdoors. His favourite time of year was late summer and early fall preparing for the annual moose hunt. He had many good and loyal friends. He loved a good story and being surrounded by those who could make him laugh. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered always. Harvey leaves to mourn with loving memories, his wife of 61 years, Shirley (nee Spurrell), his daughters, Carol Osmond, Patsy (Michael) Osmond, son, Jim (Tina) Osmond, grandsons, Mitchell, Brandon (Christina), Nicholas and Jimmy Osmond, granddaughter, Maria Kydd, two great grandchildren, Silas and Ronan Osmond, and his loyal dog, Rocky. Also left to mourn his aunt, Mary Pope, brothers, Lloyd (Veronica) Osmond and Stanley (Ada) Osmond, sisters and brothers in law, Janet Smith, Herbert (Myrtice) Spurrell, Norman (Eva) Spurrell, David Smith, Lorraine (Ed) Lockyer, Brian (Janet) Spurrell, Claudia Lambe, nieces, nephews, cousins and a large circle of friends. In addition to his parents, Harvey was predeceased by his mother and father in law, William and Mary Spurrell, sister, Clarice and brother in law Randell Pink, brother, Clifford Osmond, Jr., sisters in law, Blanche Smith and Viola Osmond, and brother in law, Clarence Smith. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Dr. Charles LeGrow Health Centre, the Western Memorial Regional Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre for all of their efforts to ensure that Harvey could spend quality time with his family during his final months. While he left us far sooner than we had hoped, we appreciate all the care that he was given. In keeping with Harvey’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends may visit Oceanside Funeral Home, 23 Read Street, Port aux Basques, on Thursday, July 21 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m. at St. James Anglican Church with Rev. Jane Allen officiating. The service may be viewed live on the St. James Anglican Church Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/St.JamesChannel. At the request of the family, masks are strongly encouraged. In lieu of flowers donations in Harvey’s memory may be made to St. James Anglican Church or the Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre Foundation. Funeral arrangements were in the care of Oceanside Funeral Home, 23 Read Street, Port aux Basques, 695-7010. Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting www.oceansidefh.ca.