HAROLD LEE HERREM

Harold Herrem passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, Ont. in his 97th year.
He was the beloved husband of Irene; loving father of Peter (Janet) and Paula Tholl (Bill); and proud grandfather of Erica Marleau, Gavin (Kimberly), and Alexa Tholl and great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Emily, and Julia Marleau.
Also sadly missed by his nieces and nephews, Bill Galbraith (Kate), Jean Galbraith, and Annette Hamm (Len), and John (Sandra), Doug, and Bill Livingston.
Harold was born Jan. 18, 1916 to John and Annette Herrem in La Vallee, Ont. He attended elementary and two years of high school in La Vallee.
The family moved to Fort Frances, Ont. in 1930. Harold graduated from Fort Frances High School in 1931 and then was employed part-time in Gillmer and Noden’s hardware store and then worked at G.G. Baeker’s drug store.
In 1937 and ’38, he worked in the accounting department of the Maclean Publishing Co. in Toronto, Ont. He then returned to Fort Frances and worked for John O. Herrem and Son, which was incorporated as Herrem Woodworkers Ltd. at 812 Victoria Ave., in 1948.
That business was sold to Tom Kiddle in 1977.
Harold was a member of Knox United Church since 1930, and served on various church boards and the session for many years. He also was on the vocational advisory committee for the Fort Frances Board of Education for a number of years and was a member of the Kiwanis Club from 1964.
He played piano by ear, and performed “O Canada” and “God Save the Queen” for Kiwanis.
Since 1990, he played old and much-loved melodies for the residents at Rainycrest for half-an-hour every Saturday or Sunday in Boise Square.
Harold was predeceased by his parents, John and Annette; his three sisters, Astrid Livingston, Alice Herrem, and Alfreda Galbraith; and brothers-in-law, Burt Livingston and David Galbraith.
Harold and Irene enjoyed living in Fort Frances, residing at 333 First St. E. for many decades. They moved to the Riverwalk Condominiums in 2003, blessed with the beautiful view of the Rainy River and wonderful friends, staying until 2011 when they moved to Ottawa.
They enjoyed 16 months together in their suite, closer to their daughter and nephew, and enjoyed caring support from the Amica staff, especially Janet Murray.
On July 25, 2012, Harold and Irene celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa with family!