Obituary of Harvey Angus McPhee

Harvey McPhee, 86 Glace Bay, N.S. We are heartbroken at the loss of our amazing father and husband, Harvey Angus McPhee, 86, of Glace Bay, he passed away peacefully on January 21, 2024, in the Glace Bay Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. Harvey was the son of Angus and Katherine (Steele) McPhee of Steeles Hill, Glace Bay. A beloved husband to Claire, they recently celebrated 65 years of marriage, December 27, 2023. Harvey was a member of Saint Anthony Parish and attended Saint Anthony school. After finishing school, he earned his tickets in both plumbing and as a burner service mechanic; initially working in Toronto, then returning home to Glace Bay to work with his brothers Bernie and Joey and his father Angus at McPhee’s Plumbing and Heating along with coworkers, who were frequently the object of Dad’s pranks or instigators in their own right. Dad was a great storyteller and would often regale family and friends with stories of his youth growing up on Steeles Hill with his extended family on a small family farm and his many adventures and exploits with all his friends from “the hill.” One of his favorite stories was of Harvey’s hamburgers and Herk’s hotdogs, his first entrepreneurial adventure with his childhood friend, Gerard “Herk” MacMullin, a chip shop they opened on Dominion St., #11, in their early teens. He also lived to make people laugh through his joke telling. Though he was a plumber by trade, Dad was a jack of all trades, unafraid to tackle any project. He was an accomplished builder and built several homes for his family and a number of apartment buildings which he and Mom managed over the years. Another one of Dad’s great loves was spending time at his bungalow on Hornes Road, Mira, where he frequently hosted family and friends and created amazing memories for many. Summers were spent with all the cousins swimming and boating, winters were for ski doo and ice fishing, everyone loved their Uncle Harvey. Dad was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger days, always looking forward to his yearly trips to favorite spots in Newfoundland with the guys. In his retirement his passion became his tractor and backyard garden which supplied family and friends every fall with fresh zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and rhubarb and plenty of work for Mom bottling and pickling. Another one of Dads favorite pastimes was travelling with Mom in their retirement visiting numerous places in California, Mexico, Nashville, New Orleans but their favorite was definitely the winters spent vacationing in Florida. Dad always seemed to have a project on the go and would frequently involve the neighbourhood kids whether it was shovelling gravel, weeding the garden, or even just mowing the yard. He always seemed to have something for them to do to make a few dollars. Dad taught all of us not to be afraid to tackle any obstacle in our path, and to face life’s challenges head on. He loved his family beyond measure especially spending time with his grandchildren sharing stories of his youth. Harvey is survived by his wife the former Claire Burton, his sons, Harvey (Denise) and their children, Michael (Shannon), Megan (Christien), and Erin (Bryceson), Brian and his children, Kathryn (Cory) and Nicole, and his only daughter, Lisa Reid (Bill) and their children, Taryn and Liam, as well as daughter in law, Anita (Rod) and daughter Kayleigh. He is also survived by his only living sibling, Patricia (Patsy) Morrison, along with sister-in-law Leonne (George) Briand as well as several special nieces and nephews and numerous friends. Dad was also awaiting the arrival of his first great grandchild in April. Harvey was predeceased by his parents Angus and Katherine, son Lowell, brothers, Bernie, Francie, and Joey, and his sisters, Margie Lee and Marie Zorychta, as well as sisters and brothers in law. Thank you to the Glace Bay General Hospital, 3West, nurses, doctors, and staff for the exceptional care provided to Dad. Special mention to Allan, Liz and Sam, your kindness and compassion will always be remembered. Rest in peace Dad. You will be dearly missed. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and compassion of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, N.S. 902-849-4199. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 2-3 p.m., and a Celebration of Life to follow at 3 p.m., with Fr. Norman McPhee presiding. All in Tracey’s Funeral Home, Glace Bay. Words of comfort may be expressed to Harvey’s family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.