NEAL, Harold 'Buzz' Egerton - FCIM, P.Eng. - Peacefully on June 30, 2020 in the company of family at his Toronto home of nearly 60 years.
Survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Carolyn (nee Oliver) and their sons David (Leanne), Donald (Alix), and Alan.
Predeceased by his sister, Gwendolyn Hopper (Lloyd), and parents The Rev. Dr. Harold Baker Neal and Esther Caroline (nee Bailey).
Harold was born in December 1924 at the family home in Conway, Ontario, the doctor attending by horse-drawn sleigh. The son of a minister in the newly established United Church of Canada, Harold’s childhood was rooted in the rhythms of clerical service at manses in Wooler, Belleville, Campbellford, and Renfrew.
It was at ‘Vic’ that he discovered both the love of his life – Carol Oliver, and his life’s calling – geology.Following his marriage to Carol in 1949 and the arrival of their first two sons, the young family moved north to Schefferville, Quebec, where Buzz was Director of Research with IOC, and became an expert in iron ore mining and production.
In 1962, Buzz, Carol and their growing family, now including their third son Alan, packed into a DC-3 and flew south to make a new life in Toronto.
Buzz was a lifelong supporter of the United Church. He was a founding board member of the Toronto Christian Resource Centre (CRC) and enjoyed welcoming newcomers to Canada as a veteran member of his church’s refugee committee.
He cherished his many Oliver nieces, nephews, and their children. Always outgoing, many will remember Buzz striding up with a smile and outstretched hand, keen to hear from others about their lives. He will be dearly missed by his wife Carol, his sons and daughters-in-law, his grandchildren, Tristan (Libby), Teague, Lachlan (Stephanie), Mackenzie, Ryerson, and Geneva. He loved being “GG” to great-grandchildren Bailey Geffen and Eden.He was very fond of his god-daughter Anne Nurse-Richardson. A day did not pass without Buzz expressing gratitude for the loving care provided to him and members of his family in recent years by Elizabeth, Jessica, Jennifer, Odette, and Theresa.
Many thanks as well to Lorna McDougall, NP, and Drs. Stewart and Meuser.
Memories can be shared and details of a memorial service found at a later date.
If desired, donations in Buzz’s memory can be made to Centennial Infant and Childcare Centre, or to the refugee assistance organization of your choice.
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