Harris H.V. Hord

Harris Henricks Valliere Hord was born on the family farm in Carrville, Ontario on June 11, 1920. He grew up in Richmond Hill Ontario, and graduated from Richmond Hill High School. After a summer traveling with his friend Farley Mowat to Saskatchewan, collecting animal and bird specimens for the Royal Ontario Museum, he enrolled in Honours Biology at McMaster University.

These studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. In 1942 Harris joined the RCAF, and later the RAF, as a radar technician---radar being cutting edge technology at the time. He was stationed in England and Scotland for the remainder of the war. He returned to Canada in 1945, married Lois Borden, a nursing student at McMaster, and graduated from McMaster in 1947. Later that year he moved to Pulman, Washington, for postgraduate studies in Plant Pathology at Washington State University.

He then traveled to Honduras with his family, where he worked for the Standard Fruit Company as a plant pathologist, and, later, Director of Agriculture. He was instrumental in making the changeover to the Panama disease-resistant Cavendish banana cultivar. He later developed successful strategies for combatting Sigatoka disease.

The family also maintained a home in Newmarket, Ontario, which Harris worked hard to renovate. In 1971, he returned to Canada permanently, having accepted employment as Assistant Director of the Marine Biological Station of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, from which he retired in 1985.

He had a number of hobbies such as wood-working and chair-caning, and his love of nature was evident in his passion for gardening. He was active in the St. Andrews Civic Trust, as he was fond of historic buildings. His interest in antique furniture, clocks, and similar items was reflected in his home. Harris was a member of All Saints Anglican Church, where he served for several years on the vestry. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. With his wife, and other friends and family members, he made several trips abroad, and he enjoyed returning to Honduras on numerous occasions.

He died peacefully in Charlotte County Hospital on February 8, 2016. He is survived by his wife Lois B. Hord of St. Andrews; his daughters Jessica Irene Noyes (Stephen) of Vermont, USA; Charlotte Vallière Hord, of Saint John, NB; Marjory Elizabeth Méndez (Refugio) of Puebla, Mexico; Sheila Mary Roes (Ron) of Peace River, Alberta; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a niece Pamela Pind, of Peterborough, ON.

Arrangements are entrusted to Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (646-2424).  In keeping with Harris’ wishes, no calling hours are being held, and the family memorial service will take place at a later date.

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