Obituary of Harry Rich Hepburn

OBITUARY - HARRY RICH HEPBURN

Nov 28, 1921-May 11, 2019

Memorial service:  Friday May 17, 2019

12:00PM Hendren Funeral Homes, Lakefield Chapel, 66 Queen Street, Lakefield

Visitation one hour prior and refreshments afterwards.

On May 11th, our family lost a hero, Harry Hepburn, as he left this earth to join his wife of 70 years, Norma and son Mark just in time to celebrate Mothers Day with them!

Harry passed away in his 98th year but was vital and loving to the end.  He was a true gentleman, raconteur and loved by all who were fortunate enough to know him.  What an amazing life Harry enjoyed - which makes our tribute to him on Friday a true “celebration” for a life fully and honourably lived ❤

Still driving (and very well too!), he enjoyed taking friends out in his Cadillac for ice cream and coffee or visiting family at the lake.  His personalized plates said it all... MR HRH and yes, he was King of his Kingdom and patriarch to an ever growing dynasty of Hepburns - all of whom were immensely proud of him and will guard his memory forever.

Harry first showed his true colours as a flying officer with Squadron 426 Thunderbirds in England where he spent more than 130 hours over enemy territory.  His crew-mates depended on the navigational and piloting skills of Harry and team leader Jack May.  They never wanted to risk their lives with anyone else!  This bravery was honoured with many awards over the years including the Distinguished Flying Cross from England and National Legion of Honour from France.   Harry closely followed the career of grandson Christopher Hepburn from air cadet through Royal Military College, assignments in the Middle East, diplomatic posts in Europe until recent retirement as Major at Trenton Air Base.  Harry believed that Chris continued on where he left off and the two of them marched side by side every Remembrance Day until recently. 

As a teenager in Toronto, handsome, fun and often outrageous Harry attracted the attention of many young ladies.  But it was the determination and resilience of Norma Parker that won the day.  Attributes that served Norma well coping with 4 young boys - Brian, David, Scott and Mark.  Harry’s career as a refrigeration engineer planning and installing industrial ice rinks for CIMCO took him far and wide through North America, Africa and Cuba.  Though not formally educated as an engineer, Harry was very deservedly awarded his Engineers certificate and iron ring for many inventions and solutions in his field.

After living in London and Toronto, Harry retired at 61 to his waterfront cottage at Lakefield. But his clients’ trust and dependence on Harry’s integrity, capability and fun personality led CIMCO to offer him self-employment, working from home at his own pace.  Norma typed up proposals in the days before computers and Harry worked successfully for himself for another 15 years!

From their early family days, the Hepburn family summers were spent at the Kawartha Lakes - originally accessed via rough, rutted roads!   The sons will tell you their summer holidays were often spent working hard building or maintaining the cottages.  But Harry says this is how character is built - teamwork, responsibility, fresh air, exercise and no technology!   

Harry and Norma’s Lakefield cottage became the hub of the Hepburn family gatherings through the years and was a wonderful home until they moved in 2009 to Canterbury Gardens, Peterborough due to Norma’s illness and ultimately to her passing.  A special thank you to all the staff there for the care and attention you gave to both Norma and Harry.

Harry, you will always be deep in the hearts of your family: Sons Brian (Shirley) of London, David (Annie) of Toronto and Scott (Nancy) of Clear Lake. Pop of Kim Rusin (Ted), Chris (Denise), Amy Paradine (Philip), Sara Forbes (John), Richard (Taline), Kelly Harrison (Paul), Andrew (Andrea), Cindy Davenport (Evan), Ian (Debra) and Crystal Hepburn. GG of Emily, Connor, Robin, Myranda, Owen, Lucy, Logan, Coltan, Aidan, Liam, Parker, Brooke, Reid, Chase, Nyre, Troy, Evelyn "Evie", Isla and Jack plus an ever growing Legion of great great grandkids.  

You will be missed so much!