Harvey Larson
Harvey Edmund Larson, 86, passed away suddenly on December 30, 2017 at home in Atikokan, Ontario.
Harvey was born on March 16, 1931 in Bergland, Ontario. He was raised on the family farm and in the logging and tourist camps around Lake of the Woods. Harvey was raised to love the outdoors and consequently much of his early work involved logging, trapping, and guiding in the area. He was a jack-of-all-trades and could fix just about anything. His family and friends often were the beneficiaries of his good works and frequently looked to him for advice.
As a young man he lived in Sioux Narrows, Ontario where he met Senja Nurmi. When she arrived to work at a local café, Harvey bet the other young men he would be the first to date her. It was a date that lasted almost 60 years; they married in 1954. A year later their first child (Maurits) arrived, and soon a daughter (Karen) was born, followed by son, Randy.
Harvey worked in various jobs in Sioux Narrows including logging operations with his father, guiding on Lake of the Woods, and as an entrepreneur both as a taxi driver and a tow truck operator and mechanic.
In 1965, the family moved to Atikokan where he worked as a welder at Steep Rock Iron Mines, and following the mine closure, at Pro-Board Manufacturing until his retirement in 1996.
Harvey loved his community and was an active participant in local hobby clubs including the Vintage Iron Car Club, the Atikokan Sno-Ho Club, the Fix-it Club as well as his local trade union and local political organizations. In his retirement, he and Senja would often travel the region in his 1954 Mercury proudly named Mr. Blue.
They were cottage owners on Perch Lake for many years, and would fish and enjoy the outdoors every chance they could, often sharing their time with family and friends. Later, they enjoyed a smaller cottage at a property on Rainy Lake, which was the gathering spot for Senja’s extended family.
They enjoyed travelling, often with Senja’s sister Laila Lee, particularly the hidden spots of Canada. One of the highlights was a trip to visit Senja’s family in Finland and to see parts of Sweden where Harvey’s family was rooted. The visits from family from Finland or with relatives in Canada were often highlights for both of them. Harvey took part in as many of his family reunions as he could and treasured his time with the extended Larson and Nurmi families.
Senja was the love of Harvey’s life and in later years, he was an active and dedicated caregiver at home and during her stay in extended care. His steadfast loyalty was exemplary.
Harvey was a man of few words; his sometimes crusty exterior was a screen for a soft heart and he could be counted on to lend a hand to just about anyone.
He was predeceased by wife Senja (Nurmi) Larson in 2014, parents Walter and Elfva Larson, and grandson Ian Larson. Family members left to mourn: sons, Maurits Larson (Kathy), Randy Larson (Teresa), daughter Karen Loewen (Charles); four grandchildren and three great grandchildren; brother Melvin Larson (Dora), sister Marianne Sundin (Lawrie), sister-in-law Laila Lee, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service for all to attend will be held on February 17, at 11 am, at the Pioneer Centre, Burns St., Atikokan. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation.
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