It's difficult to believe that it has been more than year since Harvey passed. We continue to miss him so much, especially around this time when he would be in Nevis.

The Wade Family....

Harvey we will miss you. 
god bless.
Geoffrey and Barbara, Nevis

Its sad to know that Harvey never pull through that horrible accident. Each time i saw friends of Harvey ,i had always wanted to know his progress. Only to know you pass on. Rest in peace.

I first met Harvey in September 1948 at Bedford Park Public School where along with a group of childhood friends consisting of Stuart Duff, Peter Ridout, Ian Russle just to name a few really enjoyed his companionship. His style of humour is exampled by his refusal to remove his mittens until May 24th each year. When Harvey took his mittens off, spring had officially arrived. The active relationship between Stu and Harvey lasted until Stu's death in 2007. There are not many of us that can boast of active childhood relationships that last a lifetime. Harvey certainly encouraged that. He was interested and interesting. 

I miss him.

Just got the news today of Harvey.  A terrible shock!  One regret after leaving Oakwood Collegiate Harvey's absence in my subsequent schools.  His merry eyes upon arrival at work presaged a delightful anecdote to leaven that day's work.  His insights were quite helpful to a newbie navigating the channels of a new work environment, and his witty disclaimers debunking incoming TDSB bunkum alleviated the resultant drudgery (extra paperwork) it entailed.
We have lost a humane jolly good fellow taken most tragically before his time.  RIP Harvey 
Larry King Oakwood staff  1986-89

Just got the news today of Harvey.  A terrible shock!  One regret after leaving Oakwood Collegiate was Harvey's absence in subsequent schools.  His merry eyes upon arrival at work presaged a delightful anecdote to leaven that day's work.  His insights were so helpful to a newbie navigating the channels of a new work environment, and his witty disclaimers debunking incoming TDSB bunkum alleviated the resultant drudgery (extra paperwork) it entailed.
We have lost a humane jolly good fellow taken most tragically before his time.  RIP Harvey 
Larry King Oakwood staff  1986-89

We were very sad to receive this news. A great neighbour for nearly 12 years, we always enjoyed Harvey's cheerful and gentle manner. My children looked forward to his return from Nevis every spring. We affectionately called it the "clothesline signal". He was a wonderful gardener and a kind soul. Harvey, you will be greatly missed!

Harvey Pedlar was a kind and gentle man - his personality made it easy for him to become a part of our family without any effort on his part or ours.  Our house at Bath Road where he spent much of his time on Nevis will always be "Mr. Pedlar's House."  We feel the loss of his presence quite keenly and will miss him always.
Leslie Wade and Family (Nevis and New York).

We only knew Harvey for a short time - we moved next door a few months ago. He  was a very sweet man and always greeted us with a smile. Our deepest condolences to his family.

We met Harvey in Nevis many years ago and always enjoyed meeting up with him each year on our holiday trip to Nevis.  He was a good and dear friend and a wonderful conversationalist...we will miss the good talks we shared. Nevis will somehow seem different now.  We will miss him very much.    Gael and Don Moore,  Cobourg Ontario.

Brian, Janice & Family,

Please accept my most heartfelt condolences for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time.

With love and hugs,
Shoshana Schwartz

I knew Harvey for many years on Nevis, his presence will be greatly missed there by all who knew him.  Paul Diamond, Nevis

I also remember Harvey from the early 60's when we were all beginning teaching, the crazy parties next door at his neighbour's "Williams" and the fun we all had as "Pedlar" (as we called him) regaled us with his humour and interesting stories.
He had a great gift...delighting and entertaining all whom he met.

I taught with Harvey 1967-80.
I always enjoyed our chats in the men's staff room to the background of the street cars rumbling along St.Clair.
I particularly remember walking with him during the teachers' strike of 1975-76. We shared many a laugh as we struggled with the Globe Cryptic Crosswords.
Thanks for your friendship.
Peter Williams

Harvey was a colleague of mine at Oakwood C.I.  His dry sense of humour and his love of work were inspirational.  He will be sorely missed.

"Harvey" was the kindest person with the most amusing stories, I will miss him dearly. Denyse Boyd (Nevis)

As I read these wonderful tributes to Harvey, I appreciate him even more.  I live in Nevis and have known Harvey for many years, enjoying our lunches at Café des Arts. He always made a point of us getting together when my Mother was visiting.  We would talk about my family and our mutual friends.  Sometimes we talked about his recent travels and adventures. 

Yet, even after all those conversations, the posts in this Guest Book tell a whole different story of Harvey.  A story he certainly could have boasted about but, in his nature, never did.  I'm not surprised, just duly impressed, that he left such a mark on so many people in so many avenues of his life.  I was fortunate to know him and will really miss him.

We have known Harvey for about four years on his regular visits to Nevis. HARVEY was a GENTLEMAN in every respect of the word.I will remember our discussions on all manner of subjects.R.I.P. Dear Friend Keith and Barbara PUGH

I only recall meeting Harry once when he was introduced by a friend at Cafe des Arts, Charlestown, Nevis, one of his favourite haunts on the island he so loved. I remember a pleasant personality. I wish to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends at his untimely passing. We in Nevis are deeply grieved by what happened and I know his friends will keep his memory alive. May he rest in peace.

I have not known Harvey for long, maybe three years or so. He started coming into my deli in Charlestown, Nevis, to purchase bread, and followed me when I opened a small restaurant here on Nevis. Always polite and courteous,I shall miss his cheerful smile and kind words. RIP Harvey.

I am honored to have known Harvey a number of years on his visits to Nevis.
I am lucky to have been able to consider him my friend.  I shall dearly miss him and his regular postcards from his travels.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to all his friends and family.
I shall treasure my memories of a truly, lovely GENTLEMAN.
                                                                      Chrissey Harbron-Wood, Nevis

Years 1960-65

I would never have survived my last year University, my year at OCE and my first years of teaching without Harvey!

"H" taught me Civics in the K.C.R. the night before my OCE History exam> "H" told me it was essential that I learn to drink Scotch. "H" treated me to drinks at the Jolly Miller the night before my FIRST real day of teaching.
Such a great mix of Harvey's Western and Toronto friends - we were so lucky to have him leading the frivolity!!

Great memories of a great friend!

Diane Overholt Bethune

Dear Brian and family,
         I would like to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of your uncle Harvey. I'm sure you will miss him greatly. 

                                                                               Sincerely,
                                                                                Lavonne

Harvey was an important support to me when I joined the guidance staff at OCI.  On a daily basis, I observed the kindness and sincere interest he showed to all the students he counselled.  With his warm smile, twinkling eyes and all-year tan, he brightened all our lives!  Rest in peace, Harvey!
Sincerely,
Eleanor Godin

Harvey was a kind, independent man with a zest for life.  I was in his company on several occasions while in Nevis on winter vacations with my aunt and uncle over the past years.  We had many fun times together.  I always enjoyed hearing about his many travels, to places like London, Paris, India, parts of the U.S. A. etc.  I can only imagine that he must have been a great teacher or “teach” as he would say.  He made a mean chili dinner.  He will be fondly remembered.  RIP.

It was an honour to have been taught by Mr. Pedlar.  He was one of my most memorable and favourite teachers.  His passion for History transferred to my passion for History.  WE were fortunate to have him as an example during the most impressionable time of our lives.  RIP

Even as teenagers we recognized that Harvey Pedlar was a gentleman and a good guy. He made his classroom fun without losing site of the goal of making sure that we were well taught. Students of Oakwood Collegiate have lost a true friend and a hero. 
- On behalf of the Oakwood Collegiate Alumni Association
Steve Pecar

When I was 30 I lived around the corner on Mount Pleasant from "Mister Pedlar".  I called him that because he had been one of my teachers at Oakwood for a couple of different subjects so that unlike today we had enough respect to never use their first names no matter how old we became. He and I used to say hello when I was out walking to the shops on Yonge Street or the like and he would be gardening in the front yard. My fondest memory of him from school was when he was teaching us World Politics a class that always ended up with the students incredibly polarized with right and left wing rhetoric and there he would be - absolutely open mouthed and shaking his head at the hurricane he had somehow set off. He was a good guy and never got angry at the maelstrom or tried to inject his own viewpoints which I know realize with the first post here were probably pretty left. That is the sign of a great teacher in my mind ,someone who lights a spark and allows it to go wherever it will without judgement or repercussion. Too bad that I only remember a few of the literally dozens of course leaders I have had in my life, they could have benefited from his acumen. Here is to you Mister Pedlar, you made a difference.

Harvey had a rare talent -the ability to create laughter.I cherish my
memory of the many times I met him in the hall after teaching a class and he
would ask impishly" Did you sparkle to-day?"Harvey sparkled  all his life and
gave his colleagues the precious gift of  laughter.Condolences to his relatives
and many friends. Gil  Baker(Elora,On)

Harvey was a very special person and teacher. He had a wide variety of experiences which he would share to amuse and/or inform others. However, one line I have often quoted happened when Harvey said, "I'm going to teach my 'closet class'". I asked, "Your 'closet class', what's that?" He replied, "Well they're not stupid, but it's as if they've been brought up in a closet!" It was an example of Harvey's insight and elequence....Karen Whitewood

"Harvey had a talent to amuse and gave all his colleagues the
precious gift of laughter. I cherish my memory of all the times I met him in
the hall after teaching a class and he would ask impishly,"Did you sparkle   
to-day?" Harvey sparkled all his life.Sincere condolences to all his relatives and
many friends.             Gil Baker(Elora,On)

Harvey and I were the best of friends at Oakwood. His "laid-back" attitude, his wonderful humour, and genuine concern helped me get through each day. He had nicknames for everyone, but strangely I can't recall that either of us had one. Sadly, one of Harvey's wishes has likely not been realized: to get far more out of the pension plan than he put into it.
Unfortunately I am leaving for Vancouver in an hour so I cannot offer my sympathy and condolences personally.

Harvey gave me a precious gift when I was a young teacher at Oakwood Collegiate.  Harvey was our Union Rep.  I was in those years when I felt invincible so I thought our Teachers Disability Insurance was irrelevant.  Harvey cautioned me that I would be most unwise to opt out. I listened to him because I respected him hugely.  At age 57, I was forced to leave teaching because of a profound hearing loss.  Without  disability Insurance ,I would have been in very bad financial shape.  Thankyou Harvey.  I will be forever grateful.
Jeni De Carlo

OBITUARY

Mr. Harvey Meldrum Pedlar

28 January, 1937 – 25 November, 2013

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