Obituary of Harvey Robinson Eakins

EAKINS, HARVEY ROBINSON (1954–2012) — Sadly, Harvey passed away early Wednesday morning, September 26, at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. Harv’s final journey began in October 2011 when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) IV brain cancer. Almost from the beginning, he was thrown one curve-ball after another. That he survived almost a year is testament to his fighting spirit. Throughout his many ordeals, he never wavered in his belief that he could beat this horrible disease. He never gave up hope. “Death,” he said, “is not an option!” Harvey will be forever loved and remembered by his partner and BFF, Jo Anne Hambly, and by much-loved dog, Watson Hambly (“psycho puppy”). Sadly missed by his brother, Rick (Brenda) and his sister, Georgina Ghadery (Moji), his nephews David (Laura) and Adam (Meredith) Eakins, Kevan and Kris Ghadery, niece, Hollay Samis (Matt), grandnephew, Joe Samis, and grandnieces, Nuala Samis and Charlotte Eakins. He is also lovingly remembered by his Callander family: mother Joan Hambly and sisters, Gail and Leigh (Jamie) Hambly. He was predeceased by his father, J. R. (Bob), his mother, Ethel, and Jo Anne’s father, Bob. We will all miss Harvey’s droll sense of humour and his gentle soul. Harvey was born and grew up in Toronto, but he felt most at home in the great outdoors – especially the lakes, rivers, and forests of the Canadian Shield. The seeds of this love were planted at the family cottage on Lake Chandos, near Apsley, where he spent the summers of his childhood. Following his graduation from Trent University in 1978 with a B.Sc., Harv began a series of “dream jobs.” For 10 years, he worked as a fisheries technician in Algonquin Park and areas throughout northeastern Ontario. This was followed by five years as a fisheries biologist and seven years as a data analyst biologist. During the 1980s, Harv discovered a second love – computers! He became a self-taught computer whiz (aka geek), and in 1997, soon after he was laid off by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, he joined Mitig Forestry Services as a GIS technician. He was employed by Mitig up until his death. Harv had many interests – computers, backyard mechanics (especially old VWs), open-wheel and Le Mans racing, stained glass, scuba diving and other water sports, photography, even poker, although he usually went home with far less than he came with. He was also a Rock Band bass player extraordinaire. He could fry fresh pickerel like no one else! His favourite summer activity was an afternoon at “Watson’s Cove” on Lake Nipissing with Watson (who else?) and Jo Anne and other family members when they were around. Harv loved to wake up early in the summer (before the birds, if possible), sit on his deck with a cup of coffee, and watch the mist rise from Callander Bay and the lake come alive for another day. During the past year, Harvey met many wonderful caregivers at the Regional Cancer Centre and Daffodil Lodge in Sudbury and the Regional Health Care Centre and CCAC in North Bay. On occasion, however, he did encounter those who seemed to consider the prognosis ahead of the patient. The statistics for GBM are not encouraging – life expectancy remains among the lowest of all cancers. Nonetheless, response to treatment is individual. Hope remains a wonderful gift to give – even to someone with GBM or another life-shortening illness. “When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’" To honour Harvey’s memory, please consider donations to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.