Earl Wesley was born Friday, March 11, 1921 to Henry August and Carrie (Phillips) Heagy in Bentinck Township. Worldwide it was an uneventful day. However, the Heagy family was blessed that day, yet again. There were five siblings altogether in the family: Harry Stewart (born March 31, 1905 and died August 30, 1906); Roy Ernest (Earnst) (born August 2, 1907 and died February 12, 1987); Lillian Lavina “Lillie” (born June 6, 1910 and died May 3, 2000); and Gordon Alfred (born June 26, 1919 and died May 10, 2013).
Earl’s mother Carrie was born May 31, 1885 in Woodbridge, near Weston, and was orphaned very young. Her father was listed as Albert Phillips on her marriage license and her mother unknown as her name could not be obtained. A newspaper clipping, written by Ann Kelly, of the Sun Times (1985) cites Carrie as remembering her Dad as “Bart” and having to get upon a chair to do dishes in the homes of people who kept her. She was working for Benders in Ayton when she met Henry August.
As an aside, Earl’s father, Henry August was born February 4, 1878 in Perth County. Henry August’s father (Earl’s grandfather) was Henry as well, and his mother (Earl’s grandmother) was Henrietta Kinsman. They both were born in Germany.
Earl’s parents were married May 30, 1904 in Wallace Township, Perth County, Ontario. Henry August was twenty-six and Carrie was just nineteen. They were both listed as living, and farming, in Wallace Township. Emmie Bender made the young couple’s wedding cake.
After their first child died, after living for just over a year, the young but grieving couple, moved to R.R.#1 Desboro. Roy, and the rest of the Heagy children were born there.
Henry August died young, at the age of forty-three years and eight months. Presumably Henry died at home, as his place of death was listed as Lot 26 Concession 15, Grey County. Although he had lived his entire life in Ontario, Henry had only been living at his current residence for 6 months. Henry August suffered from Diabetes Mellitus and was in a diabetic coma when he died. Dr. Henry Morgan, of Chesley, had been attending him from September 30, 1920 until the day of his death October 15, 1921. He was buried in Palmerston, October 18, 1921. The undertaker was Bart Wright of Chesley. Fred Schilling of R.R.#1 Desboro was the informant.
Little Earl Wesley would only have been 6 months old. Earl’s mother Carrie had promised Henry August that she would keep the family together and in an effort to do this, Carrie sold the farm after Henry’s death and moved to the home where she lived out the rest of her years. The family managed to stay together.
Following their move, the children were educated at SS #3 Sullivan and Holland. Some of those pictured are from the Schultz, Heimbecker, MacClure, Schopf, Nuhn, Woods, Meyers and Harnack children. The teacher was Campbell Maclean.
According to the article, Carrie had a mower and rake, cut her own hay, drew it by herself, and kept cows and chickens. She also sold cream, potatoes, and eggs, “whatever she could to keep the wolf away from the door.” Earl’s mom never drove a car but certainly managed a horse and carriage in the summer and horse and cutter in the winter.
On July 29, 1930 Lillian Lavina left Toronto, where she had been living and working as domestic help, passing through Niagara Falls, New York, for Cleveland, Ohio to her cousin Mrs. Clark Dregella (misspelling?). She married Harry De Galla September 1, 1933 in Chautauqua, New York. Harry was the son of Susan (Bankman) and Gotfred De Galla. He was thirty-three years of age (having been born January 3, 1895 , born in Pennsylvania) and Lillian was just twenty-three.
Earl Wesley was a handsome man, who was meticulous about what he wore and what he drove. Impeccable would be a great word to describe Earl’s memory. He could remember dates like few others. It could be said that he was a savant in this matter. Indeed, Earl was as sharp as a tack. The fact that Earl never smoked or drank may very well have helped his memory. However, as Earl aged he did lose some of his hearing. This could have been due to his longevity or even an industrial side effect.
Earl worked almost all, if not all, of his career at W.G. Hallman Lumber Ltd. in New Dundee. He received a beautiful gold watch for his retirement with the inscription, “For Outstanding Service 1986.” Earl’s brother Roy worked at Hall-man’s in Walters Falls as did Roy’s grandson, Wayne.
Hunting and trapping were Earl’s passions, along with Gordon. Deer, raccoons, coyotes, fox, wolf, Canada Geese, and even bear were their specialties. The bear rug in the house was always the start of a conversation, to be sure. A story is also told of the antlers on a mounted deer head that were upside down. No one knows why, but it is fun to speculate as to why.
Then there is the story of the road kill possum – yikes! And of course, there is the tale of the day the family tried to eat a roasted Canada Goose – not even the dog could eat it! Hunting was not so much a hobby as it was a necessity. As you know, Carrie, their mother, raised the four children pretty much on her own. Thus hunting was a means of feeding the family. Presumably this could also be said of the fishing the boys did. It was not as big of an outing as the hunting was, but Earl did have in his possession a picture of him and Gordon having just come back from fishing.
Earl could remember every animal he ever shot, the rifle and ammunition he used, the day, month and year! Earl’s pride and joy was his collection of guns and shot. It was also a topic of conversation, along with the preparations for hunting season, with the men, especially his great-nephew Wayne. Just two years ago Earl was able to visit with Linda and Wayne at their home in Walter’s Falls and spend time in Wayne’s “Man Cave.”
Flowers were yet another passion of, not only Earl but, Gordon and their mother. Begonias and tulips were Earl’s specialties. It is lovely to see a picture of the planted tulips that Earl had given to Janice and Emma Sysiuk. Seemingly, he never kept his talent to himself and was generous with it and its outcome!
It is lovely to look also at pictures of Earl petting tame deer, holding cats, experiencing wild big cats and watching sea mammals perform. He was truly an animal lover. A number of these pictures are in an album that Earl treasured, taping the pages closed shut to ensure none of the pictures ‘escaped!’ Each of his pictures had a story which Earl was more than willing to share with anyone who visited. Earl also kept, and treasured, each and every greeting card he received.
Earl also loved his hockey, playing euchre and even crokinole. Boy, did Earl love his card games. It was just a really good idea for any opponent to let him win. He was, indeed, fiercely competitive.
In 2013 Earl’s lung collapsed, fallout from a previous, horrible motor vehicle accident. Earl needed to think about downsizing and being someplace where he could access more help. So, for the winter he moved into Halliday House. This worked out well and he then became a permanent resident. He loved being at Halliday House and they loved having him. Kayla wrote, “I really enjoyed getting to know you and taking care of you. I enjoyed playing euchre and learning crokinole from you. I’ll miss all your stories and sharing mine with you. We will miss you Earl.”
It is fun to look at all the pictures of their Halloween and birthday celebrations as well as to read cards from the residents and staff. The staff wrote, “Earl, It isn’t the same without you around anymore. When we lost you it truly felt as though we all lost a family member. You have taught us so much in your time with us and we will forever be grateful that we got to be a part of your life and legacy. Rest in peace sweetheart.”
Frugal. That would be an under-statement in describing Earl. And how could he not have been? Growing up in a fatherless home during the depression and WWII would cause anyone to keep an eye on even their very last penny. Now, when it came to clothing, vehicles and decorating his home on Centennial Street, little expense was spared. However, when it came to groceries, every nickel was counted. However, that was not the end of the words used to describe Earl. “Generous,” “a heart of gold,” and “a real gentleman” were just some other examples of descriptors. With his pure wool coat, fancy fedora and big car, Earl had a rather similar Cary Grant bearing. He was a very good driver.
Earl had a deep and abiding faith. He seldom, if ever, missed a weekly worship service at Halliday House. There is a lovely picture of Earl being baptized, as an adult, by Bart Van Sligtenhorst who also resided at Halliday House with Earl. In his possession were a number of old time gospel cassettes as well as his parents’ marriage certificate from the church. He also had a framed picture with the scripture reading of John 13:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This came from the family farm where it had hung for years.
In addition, Earl had a long-time friendship with Helen. One of the few times Earl ever cried was when Helen died in Meaford. She has a son living in the Meaford area that Earl got to know as well. It is a fact, Earl lived, not only a long life, but a very full life. Thanks be to God!
Earl Wesley Heagy, passed away at The Halliday House on Friday, April 7, 2017 in his 97th year.
Earl was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and their families as well as many close friends.
Earl was predeceased by his brothers Gordon, Roy and Harry, sister Lilly DeGalla and his parents Henry and Carrie (Phillips) Heagy.
Visitation was held at Rhody Family Funeral Home on Saturday, April 15, 2017 from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12 noon. Interment was Walter’s Falls Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation were appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
“On Friday, we (Halliday House) lost one of our dearest family members. Earl we will miss you so much. You went peacefully. You went quickly. You didn’t suffer. You held our hands and told us you loved us then you slipped away. We hope you are hunting and trapping with Gordon. That you’re dancing with your mother, and playing cards with your old euchre pals. We love you Earl, and are so grateful for the time we got to spend with you in your last years here. Rest in peace sweetheart.”
