Harold Fearing, beloved husband of Virginia Griswold Fearing, died on Dec 2, 2022 after a sudden and determined battle with brain cancer, and then COVID. He is survived by Ginny, his wife of 58 years, their son Paul, daughter-in-law Bridget and grandson Colin, all of whom meant the world to him. He is also survived by his brother Franklin Fearing and his sisters Evelyn Dvorak and Julia Thomas.
Except that he planned to spend many more years in retirement, Harold achieved many if not most of his life goals. He enjoyed life. After graduating from the University of Kansas, then Stanford University for a PhD, he achieved recognition as a physicist at TRIUMF (UBC).
On retirement he and Ginny moved to a 40-acre farm where Harold used his science-oriented brain to engage in all aspects of growing species rhododendrons including growing and selling them. All of his thousands of plants were documented with meticulous rigor. He volunteered years of service to the Fraser Valley Rhododendron Society. Harold’s large rhododendron garden spoke for him through an amazing variety of colors, textures, shapes and sizes, creating a whole colorful canvas that was admired by and shared with many.
Harold was a dedicated “birder.” As a nature lover living in a beautiful part of the world, he and Ginny camped, hiked and backpacked extensively. Harold was a devotee of classical music and opera, and murder mysteries. He knew his way around the kitchen; was a connoisseur of chocolate, especially cakes and cookies and his favorite four cheese sauce and spaghetti. Every spring he commandeered every pot and pan to sterilize huge batches of his hand-mixed rhodie potting soil. Harold was a fine man and will be greatly missed.
At Harold’s request, no memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Harold’s memory to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (in British Columbia) at www.natureconservancy.ca/donate. The NCC’s commitment to preserving British Columbia’s wild areas was dear to his heart.
Grateful thanks to the medical teams at Abbotsford Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, the Emergency teams (fire truck and ambulances in a snowstorm), and our family physicians for excellent care. You are all so appreciated.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hendersonsabbotsfordfunerals.com for the Fearing family.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0