The death of Harold William Gammon of Bathurst occurred Wednesday, January 7, 2015, his 95th birthday, at ChaleurRegionalHospital, after a brief illness.
He was predeceased by his wife Ethel (Morrison), and brothers Gordon and Donald.
He is survived by his son Ross and daughter-in-law The Reverend Joanne Barr, of Fredericton, and their children Christopher Boyse and Evan Boyse of Calgary, and Renée Boyse of Newcastle, Ontario, as well as cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Born in Bathurst to parents William and Alfretta (Ronalds), Harold attended school locally and graduated from BathurstHigh School in 1937. He enrolled in the University of New Brunswick and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1941.
Harold returned to Bathurst and began work as a chemist for Bathurst Power and Paper, until he retired in 1972. A side duty at the mill required he record daily weather conditions. This sparked a lifelong interest in weather observation and recording of local data, which he dutifully provided for over 50 years to the Federal Atmospheric Environment Service.
Harold also worked for Stothart Mazda, City Hall, and the law firm of Byrne, Riordon, McGinley, Lenihan, Theriault, where he served as a paralegal.
His interest in chemistry spilled over to photography. He processed his own black and white film and prints, and colour slides. He photographed weddings, churches, people, the surroundings, and local events. With the advent of digital media, Harold, embracing this fully, made regular trips to Daly Point to record the seasonal changes. His photographs and snapshots provide a history of Bathurst through the decades and have found their way into the local Historical Society records.
Amateur radio was another interest and Harold, as VE1PM, talked to other ham radio operators by Morse code and voice, both locally and around the world. He provided emergency communications when contact could not be established with stricken areas.
Always active in the community, Harold was a member of the Bathurst Citizens’ Band, the Masonic Lodge, FirstUnitedChurch, and the City Planning and Advisory Committee.
Visitation will be held at Elhatton’s Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. The funeral will be held at First United Church on Thursday January 15, 2015 at 2 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst.
If desired, donations may be made to the Bathurst branch of Meals on Wheels or a charity of choice.
