Harold was the third of six children born to Thomas & Lillian Horner on March 22, 1910 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Shortly after birth the family moved to Banff, Alberta to take part in the brick and stone mason industry. Harold enjoyed the great opportunities surrounding him in Banff where he competed in figure skating, speed skating (winning several gold, silver and bronze medals for Alberta) and cross country skiing.
The First World War years were hard on the family and Harold quit school in grade seven to help support the family. He had several small jobs with grocery stores and a larger job carrying all the water for the cement mortar required in re-building the Banff Springs Hotel. His father then taught him the brick laying trade.
In 1927 the family moved to Whittier, California where brick layers were needed. Harold stayed for 8 years in Whittier but moved back to Canada working as a brick layer for IOCO in Port Moody. During that time he met his wife Maisie and they were married on April 6, 1937.
Following the birth of their third child, they moved to the South Canoe area of Salmon Arm in 1946. Harold had come to farm but the need for a bricklayer was in demand and he became a fulltime brick mason by 1948 and contributed to the building of many Salmon Arm landmarks. He built a home in South Canoe and lived there until 1955 at which time he built a new home on Homely Road (12th Ave SE).
During that time Harold was very active in the IOOF, square dancing, tennis, swimming, water skiing and figure skating.
In 1965, with the children now gone, Harold built a new home on Sunnybrae Road. He and his wife Maisie enjoyed summers by the lake and winters in California. It was also in 1965 that Harold received his new life in Christ. At this time his entire life took on a new focus and he embraced many volunteer projects. He was Chairman of the board for the Evangelical Free Church, hosted many Bible Studies and travelled to various communities to assist in church planting or building projects. These included Lethbridge, Trinity Western College in Langley, Walley, Kamloops, Ashcroft, Fort Fraser, Williams Lake, Fort St. James, Clearwater, Maui, as well as many local projects including the Salmon Arm Evangelical Free Church.
With Maisie’s failing health they moved to Sorrento Place in 1977 where they were surrounded by caring people. Maisie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1980 and was placed in the Kamloops Overlander Extended Care in 1981. No matter how difficult the season, Harold faithfully visited his wife every week until her passing in January 1999.
Harold became busy helping to build a shuffleboard court, making swings, retaining walls and a countless number of wooden crafts for the enjoyment of him and others. He never was idle. With his good health he was still able to drive his car and did so until the week of his stroke. He was 98 years old!
The need for less yard work had him moving to Lions Manor in April 2006. He enjoyed the Manor and the close knit community of Sorrento. He suffered a stroke on May 20, 2008 which left him bedridden. He was moved to Hillside Manor where he was lovingly and compassionately cared for until his passing. The family would like to thank all the staff at Hillside for their wonderful, loving and caring attitudes they bestowed on Harold in the last 14 months.
Harold will be sadly missed by his daughters, Wendy (Norm) Daniele of Kamloops, Jacquie (Brad) Gibson of Edmonton, Tom (Karen) Horner of Blind Bay, sister Marjory Farmer of Whittier, Calif. Grandchildren: Lisa (Chad) Schriml, Brad Horner, Julie (Trevor) West, Sara (Dillan) Buckingham, Colin Gibson, Stephen (Melissa) Gibson and great grandchildren Kiel & Luke Schriml, and Aidan & Soren West and a 5th great grandchild in February.
Interment will be at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sorrento. A Celebration of his life will be held at The Evangelical Free Church in Salmon Arm at 2:00 pm with Pastor Myron Crown Officiating. A Luncheon will follow at the church.