HARLOW, George Struthers

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, George Struthers Harlow, on September 6, 2022, with his bride Joan by his side, at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ontario.

During George’s 90 years of life, he spent 67 wonderful years married to his high school sweetheart and wife Joan. Together they had three sons, George Paul, Brian (Deanna) and David (Julie), five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He will be missed by his brothers, John (Josie) and Ross (Beth), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents George and Janet (née: Naylor) Harlow.

George was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Leaside. George met his sweetheart Joan in grade 6 and they were never separated. He graduated from Leaside High School and attended the University of Toronto where he graduated with a Physical Education Degree. George started his career with the City of York Board of Education, where he was a Physical Education and Mathematics teacher at York Memorial Collegiate Institute. In his 36 years of teaching, he created many new programs and coached nearly every sport. He enjoyed following his students in professional and Olympic sports and was awarded The Pete Beach Award in 1993. One of his achievements, was the creation of an advanced leadership, role model program called ‘PEOPEL’ (Physical Education Opportunity Program for Exceptional Learners), pairing Grade 12 students with  intellectually disabled students.

In the 1970’s, George was a leading contributor to the Ontario Gymnastics Federation, where he created the ‘Milk Meet’ and The Ontario Gymnastic Federation Achievement Awards Program. George built the York Gymnastic Club and acted as its head coach. George was an avid camper and cottager. He was never truly happy, unless he was somewhere around Big Hawk Lake, with his family. The family will miss him paddling his red canoe around the bay.

In retirement he moved to Midhurst, Ontario. While dealing with Parkinson's Disease, he turned his love of skiing into a level 2 instructing qualification and became a CADS (Canadian Association of Disabled Skiers) instructor. Snow Valley Resort has named an award after him in recognition of 20 years of service. George enjoyed many road trips to Western and Eastern Canada with his dear wife Joan. His trip of a lifetime was travelling the Alaska Highway from end to end, in a 1982 Volkswagen Westfalia.

In Lieu of Flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the Parkinson’s Society Canada, or RVH Foundation (Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre). The family wishes to acknowledge the care provided by the nurses and doctors of RVH Senior Care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca.