Obituary of Harold Chapman

Harold died on November 23 at Hospice Wellington. He was 80 years old. Harold was an astute businessman, a principled politician, a believer in the importance of community and a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and friend. An inveterate entrepreneur, he founded Park Avenue Wear Ltd., Wooltex Inc., Chapman Sewing Centre and Vanastra Factory Outlet. In retirement, he purchased Touch of Class and Emerald Limousine. Harold was a member of Kitchener City Council from 1962 to 1976 and the Region of Waterloo Council from 1972 to 1976. He was extremely active in serving our community, having been involved in Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement and Confederation Club. He served as President of all four organizations. He received a Senatorship from Canada Jaycees and was a Paul Harris Fellow, awarded by Rotary International, for chairing the building committee of Anselma House in 1988. He was also the initial chairman of The Centre in the Square project and chaired the Kitchener Planning Board & the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Commission. Most recently, he was a member of Citizens for Better Government Committee. He was also a charter member of Kitchener Conestoga Probus Club & member of Westmount Golf & Country Club. He cherished the free time spent with his family on camping trips, boat trips and road trips. Harold and Gloria travelled the world over in search of adventure, knowledge and experience of life in distant places. He truly lived a full life. Beloved husband to Gloria (Chapman) for 58 years. Dear father of Randy and his wife Becky Turner Chapman of Fairway, Kansas, Debbie Chapman and her husband Peter Eglin of Kitchener, Cheri McCuaig and her partner Stuart Monteith of Toronto, Sandy and her husband D'Arcy Delamere of Waterloo, Chris of Vancouver and Dwayne and his partner Kelly Hilton of Toronto. He will be lovingly remembered by his 12 grandchildren: Kelly and husband Dan, Amy, Eric, Cytlalli, Tania, Jaime, Madison, Blair, Teddy, Ben, Ryleigh and Cassidy and one great-grandson Damien. Harold will also be remembered by Donna Houteman, Rolando Ruiz-Cepeda, Andrew Stoddart and Kim Chapman. He was predeceased by his parents, Florence (Bennett) and C. John Chapman and son-in-law Warren McCuaig. You are invited to visit with Harold's family at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo on Wednesday, November 28 at 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. A celebration of Harold's life will be held at The Studio, Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener, ON on Friday November 30, starting at 2pm, followed by refreshments and a time to visit with his family. A private family committal service will be held at Williamsburg Cemetery, Kitchener. Condolences for the family and donations to the Harold & Gloria Chapman Family Fund at the KW Community Foundation or Hospice Wellington would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and can be arranged through the funeral home, www.erbgood.com or 519.745.8445. "We live in deeds not years. In thoughts, not breaths." James Bailey.