Obituary of Harold Wise

Surrounded by his family, on Wednesday January 21, 2015, E. Harold Wise, passed away at Seaforth Community Hospital at the age of 92. Harold will be deeply missed by his wife of 60 years, Kathleen, and children David (Eileen) of Washago, Steve (Charlotte) of London, Jeff of Clinton, Judith of Montreal and Margaret (Fred) of Brampton. Harold was the loving grandpa of Jaclyn, Robert, Abby, Hunter, Nick, Katie, Mathew, Sydney, Aliana, Ariel and Natalie. Survived by his brother John (Gayle) and sisters-in-law Nancy Wise and Phyllis Wise. Missed by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Herbert & Florence and step-mother Anna, and brothers Glen and Alvin. Harold Wise was born in Clinton, the first son of Herbert and Florence Wise. He attended SS#10, Goderich Township, Clinton Collegiate Institute, the Standard Engineer Institute in Toronto, then Beal Tech in London. A love of mechanics from an early age lead him to wiring his family's barn at the age of 16. Harold then started his career as an electrician with Ernie Mattel, later working at Sutter and Perdue Hardware, where he went into partnership and took over the plumbing, heating and electrical division. Harold lived in Goderich Township until 1954 when he married Kay. They started life in a little house on Bayfield Road, and next door to that, he built a workshop, operating as Harold Wise Limited. He trained many apprentices over the years. In 1979, built an addition, renaming the company Wise Energy Centre. During these years, they built the West Street Laundromat in Goderich. He built that laundromat to withstand anything. And it did – surviving the tornado of 2011. Harold was a Past President of the Ontario Electrical League, Past President of the Clinton Lions Club, Past Noble Grand of the Oddfellows Lodge, and was on the Board of Wesley Willis United Church. Harold also built a cottage on Lake Huron. In his home and businesses, he experimented with green technology, and installed solar heating at home and the solar heated water systems in the laundromat. "Dad" gave his 5 kids many childhood memories and was a model for us all - Whether it was helping out in his businesses, helping with the garden at home, or providing a playground of memories such as taking us fishing, snowmobiling, to events, summers on Lake Huron, trips camping and travelling to see other provinces. Although a man of few words at times, his stories were many. At Harold's request cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the Falconer Funeral Homes, 153 High St. Clinton on Friday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. where a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Spring inurnment at Clinton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation or the Seaforth Community Hospital would be appreciated by the family. The Wise family would like to sincerely thank the Doctor's, Nurses and staff at the Clinton, and Seaforth Hospitals for their care of Harold.