The Family Farm
More than a business – the Family Farm is a lifestyle – it is an ideal worth preserving.
Harry loved life on the farm, whether it was milking cows, working the land or watching his family grow up around him, no two days were ever alike.
Harry Carl was born on the family farm on June 17, 1943 to parents Carl and Mabel (Leifso) Frook. He joined older siblings Calvin, Beverley, Merla, Grace and was later followed by Dorothy, Ken, Linda, the twins Marianne and Marilyn and Karen. The Frook family called the 6th of Brant home and the children attended S.S. #6. Apparently, Harry was not that interested in school and at the young age of 14 left school to begin helping his dad at home on the family farm. It was during these years that Harry grew not only as a person but as a farmer, taking in and learning from all those he worked with, as well as attending Junior Farmers.
The Frook and Rody families were close friends and it wasn’t long before Harry took a particular fondness to Nancy Marie Rody. Nancy was 15 and Harry 16 when they began dating and their relationship soon flourished. The young couple married on July 18, 1964 at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hanover.
Once married, the couple began farming on Concession 6, Lot 30 of Brant Township. Harry worked for Peppler Furniture to earn some additional income for the next couple of years. This was the only time Harry had a paying job off the farm. Harry and Nancy soon started their family welcoming Sheila in 1966, followed by Joanne in 1969, Scott in 1971, Rosanne in 1972 and Mark in 1975.
Life on the farm meant getting up early daily to milk the cows, no matter how late you stayed up the previous night….just ask the kids! :). In time the Frook farm expanded in size and diversified. The dairy cattle eventually left, being replaced by beef and Harry even tried his hand in the Maple Syrup business for several years. He was known within the family as Mr. Fix-It as he could fix anything (even Barbie’s head, just ask Joanne). Who could forget his old red van that he used to tour around the countryside to help his kids. In fact, it still sits at the farm until this very day. Harry always made time for his children, whether it was driving around in the field car with them or putting the finishing touches on their skating rink, no day was too busy to spend quality time with his family.
Away from the farm, he loved hunting. It didn’t matter if it was deer, coyote, fox or any other animal, he was always up for an adventure with the hunting gang. Many stories were told of the times Harry, his dear friend Don Frook and their families spent together. More than one of these memories included a little liquid courage that helped the boys with their tasks. Although travelling was not Harry’s forte, (he never left Ontario) he did enjoy doing his part in the community and was involved with both the Property and Cemetery Committee at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Brant.
Harry was a quiet determined man, who was always meticulous no matter the task. Who doesn’t forget the paper, lists and miniature pencil that were always present in one of his pockets? He had a huge heart, was extremely patient, maybe a little stubborn and constantly worried (on the inside) about everyone and everything going on around him. No matter what the situation, Harry would always provide a listening ear, then give his opinion and finally show unconditional love. He was definitely a meat, potatoes (and gravy) type of man, who apparently enjoyed watching multiple channels at once on TV. Some of his favourites included The Red Green Show, NHL hockey, the History Channel and even politics. In fact, he is the only individual I know that actually sat AND WATCHED the legislature channel regularly on television. Imagine!
In 1996, Nancy and Harry transitioned into Hanover leaving the farm in the boys capable hands. Although retired, you can never completely remove the farm from the farmer and he was a constant resource for his sons to rely on. In recent years Harry was diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinsons, whereby there was no treatment options. Sadly, this forced him to remain housebound under the constant care of his loving wife until he transitioned to The Village in November of 2017. Harry passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 21, 2018 in his 76th year.
Beloved husband of 54 years to Nancy (Rody). Loving father of Sheila (Randy) Jacobs of Hanover, Joanne (Paul) McLaren of Chesley, Scott (Elaine) of R.R. #1 Elmwood, Rosanne Finlayson of Hanover and Mark (Becki) of R.R. #1 Elmwood. Cherished grandfather of twenty-one and great-grandfather of four. Harry will forever be remembered by his siblings, Calvin (Elsie), Bev (Dorothy), Merla (Neil) Cook, Grace Osterndorff, Dorothy (Victor) Bell, Ken (Nancy), Linda (Bill) Tramer, Marianne (Fred) Jacklin, Marilyn (John) Mighton, Karen (Don) Wilson and their families. He will be fondly remembered by Nancy’s siblings James (Joyce) Rody, Gordon (Marilyn) Rody and their families. Harry was predeceased by his brothers-in-law Robert Osterndorff, Charles Rhody, his parents Carl and Mabel (Leifso) Frook and Nancy’s parents William and Elfrieda Rody.
Visitation was held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 7 – 9 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Harry’s life will be held at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hanover on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 1 p.m. Interment in Hanover Cemetery.
Memorial donations to Parkinson Canada or The Village Residents’ Council L.T.C. would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
