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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
DYE, Harry Jr. - With saddened hearts we announce the passing of Harry Dye Jr. on March 17, 2021 after losing a battle with Parkinson’s at age 93. The loss to his family is immense. The son of the late Harry and Mina Dye, Harry was born in Dundee, Scotland and came to Canada as an infant aboard the R.M.S. Albertic, arriving at Pier 21 on May 5, 1929. His family made their home on King Street in Summerside. Harry’s nick name was “Sunny” due to his blond hair and bright disposition. In all his years, he never complained.
Harry’s life changed forever when at age 15, he joined the war effort; his father was already serving for the second time in a world war, having been a member of the Scottish Black Watch Regiment in WW1. Harry joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in October 1943. His ship, the Canadian corvette “Trentonian” was part of the Normandy invasion on D-Day. He survived the sinking of the “Trentonian” by a German torpedo off Falmouth England in February 1945. This selfless decision to volunteer was in keeping with the generous life that followed.
He was a devoted son, a giving husband, a loving dad, the proudest grandfather and the most loyal friend. He met the love of his life, Shirley after the war and together they shared the responsibilities of raising their children as true partners. Harry was supportive of Shirley’s career as a physiotherapist and shared all the household chores! He was the cook on the weekends (the son of a pastry chef) and homework tutor during the week. He could bake amazing bread and everyone devoured his “Scottish Bridies” each Christmas. He always cooked a mean bacon and eggs for Sunday breakfast and shared his famous hamburgers every summer at the cottage. He waited on his kids and their friends during exam studies with an endless supply of drinks, treats and encouragement. He was known to pour a “heavy drink” if you needed it or not. He could crochet, paint, repair and build anything and had the most organized workshop. His favorite color was green; he always had a green car, green phones, green rooms, green jackets and very green grass. He was a meticulous gardener and supplied us with fresh vegetables every summer.
Harry was Scottish but always had a wallet full of bills for his children and grandchildren and would pay for food at a hockey game, buy ice cream at the Frosty Treat, give to a friend in need, and make a bet at the horse races for whoever wanted to play. He never missed a hockey practice at 6am with Andrew and would load his green station wagon with Andrew’s hockey team and drive them to rinks all over PEI. He and Shirley were avid Junior hockey fans and rang their cow bell for their Western Capitals team in nearly every rink on PEI. True to his Scottish heritage, he could not resist a deal; as a result, he had an overabundance of many essential items!
Upon returning from World War II, Harry worked for the Town of Summerside. In 1968 he followed his entrepreneurial spirit and opened his own business which he ran until the late 1980’s. He loved the simple things in life; drives in the country-side on Sundays, one on one conversations, sunsets at the cottage, playing with his grandchildren, reading and his morning coffee. He boxed as a teenager in the navy, curled with his buds, hunted with his brother -in -law and did daily exercises and walks. He was also a member of the Summerside Kinsmen Club and the Summerside Legion.
His grandchildren often said to him “You are a good man”. The deep loss and his enduring calming presence is felt by his daughter, Catherine (Brian) Johnston of Halifax, NS; son, Andrew (Deborah Crozier) Dye of North Vancouver, BC; his grandsons who he was extremely proud of, Matthew, Colton and Liam Johnston, many special nieces and nephews and his grand dogs Rix and Stella. He was predeceased by his loving wife and best friend Shirley (Callbeck); step son, David Simpson; sister, Edith (John) Mungall; sister, Mina (Ed) McOrmond; brother, Manson; sister-in-law’s, Dorothy (Lloyd) Inman and Jean (Roy) Johnston, brother- in- law Wendell (Helen) Callbeck: brother-in-law, Hal Speers and sister-in-law’s Joan Callbeck and Helen Callbeck. He is survived by brother-in-law Donald Callbeck.
The family wishes to express sincere thanks and appreciation to his Camp Hill family of many nurses, social worker, recreation therapists, support staff and doctors who brought so much love, joy, compassion, dignity and support to Harry over the last five years of his difficult health journey. He said he was blessed to live there.
The care and services are entrusted to Cruikshank Halifax Funeral Home. There will be a celebration of life for family and friends at later date.
Ships served in: HMCS TRENTONIAN - Harry Dye survived the sinking of HMCS TRENTONIAN
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