Harry Taylor Tribute

I was dumbfounded when I heard the news about Harry. I had the pleasure of working with Harry from February 1991 when I started at the OAI. He was one of those rare people that you never could say anything bad about. He made you want to strive to be a better person yourself. He knew the name of EVERYONE he worked with and took the time to get to know them.

I lived in Oakville too and we would discuss which Tim Horton's to hit before hitting the highway for work. He joked that with his long arms, he could go through any drive thru ... the driver pick up window or the passenger pick up window ... he had the reach for either.

I left the OAI in 2001 for Halifax and my grief couldn't be any less if I had just seen him yesterday. He was a truly remarkable man who touched all that knew him. I know he's up there, modestly shaking his head at all the tribute he's receiving, thinking that he doesn't deserve it. Harry you deserve it all. You are loved and missed by everyone you knew.

When I think of Harry...as most of us called him at OAI (now Holland Centre...part of Sunnybrook) I think...great guy! He was always calm in any situation, always smiling and would listen to you if you had a problem. He worked at the OAI for close to ten years and we all loved and respected him. Never a bad word was heard from Harry or about Harry. We listen and watch the news thinking how horrible situations are but when it is someone we know that is involved, all of a sudden it makes us more aware of how it can happen to any of us and to appreciate each day. How his family handled this news is beyond me. Our hearts go out to his family with love and support. We are all sending hugs to his daughter Stephanie who was with her Dad and survived with injuries.

I attended the Memorial Service for Harry at Sunnybrook on Wednesday, November 12th. It was a wonderful tribute to the "First in Class" man who had created such admiration among the staff at all three facilities...Sunnybrook, Holland and Women's College. The auditorium was jam packed with folks standing at the back and simply not enough room for everyone wanting to attend. Marilyn Reddick HR and Rudy Amrein gave touching words on Harry's great sense of humour. There were things about Harry I never knew...like his passion for black and white photography, having a pilot's license, being a constant gum chewer. On each seat we found a lovely tribute card of Harry and packages of gum. The night of the accident Harry was to receive a Special Achievement Award at Sunnybrook. The Solar Energy Wall Project he had been working on will be dedicated in Harry's name. We will miss you Harry.