Obituary of Roy Aubrey Harding
Obituary of Roy Aubrey Harding, MD:
Roy Aubrey Harding, MD, September 17, 1942 – October 4, 2024
Birthplace: Savernake UK; son of the late Aubrey Harding and May (Webb) Harding of Chilworth Hampshire, UK.
It is with profound sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of my loving husband, soul mate, friend, father, and grandfather, Dr. Roy Harding of Digby County, Nova Scotia.
With his passing, Dr. Roy, as he was affectionately known by many, left much sorrow, many broken hearts, and empty medical chairs in a variety of locations including Maple Virtual Care. Dr. Roy was a man of dignity, integrity and character; he was the epitome of courage and conviction. He was well known for exercising patience, kindness, compassion; he never allowed emotion to override intellect. Roy had a quiet, pensive manner and a reputation for thoughtful, pragmatic responses to any topic.
Roy left us just the way he lived: with a sense of dignity, humility and with ongoing gratitude for his blessings, great and small. Of these blessings, the greatest was his cherished wife Carol Ann and a large extended family of children, step- children and 21 grandchildren. His daughters include Selina Conn of Shelburne, NS; Desiree Conn (Sean Pennell) of Middle Sackville, NS; Dahne Harding of Prince George, BC; and Shielagh (Jeff) Turner of Denham Springs, Louisiana. Stacey (Garett Jesso) Clayton of Elmsdale, NS and Matthew (Sasha) Clayton of Ottawa, ON.
Roy trained as a nurse at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Victoria, BC. He went to work as a Registered Nurse in Vernon, BC. In order to further his career after working in Vernon, Roy moved to Nova Scotia with his two “Big Girls” and their Mom to undertake nursing administration In Halifax. Wanting to include “heart” with medicine, he entered Dalhousie University School of Medicine. Between July 1969 and December 1971, the family embraced 2 more daughters and 2 foster sons. During his time in university, Roy also worked as a medical officer on the oil rigs. In 1977, Roy graduated with his MD – Magna Cum Laude. As a mature student with a young family, Roy tied with another, younger student for the Gold Medal of his Class. Dr. Roy returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Victoria, BC to complete his internship prior to commencing his Family Practice in Oakdale, Louisiana, USA. Immediately, Roy became a committed member of the Lion’s Club, which raised significant funds for much needed programs in the small southern community.
Having fallen in love with Nova Scotia and its wild ocean, Roy returned to the ocean playground in 1990. He began his career in Nova Scotia working in the Emergency Room at Digby General Hospital and he opened a family practice clinic. It was in these years, that he met and fell in love with Carol Clayton, who would become his wife. Seeing the need for a wider practice of rural medicine, Dr. Roy expanded his Digby practice to include outlying areas including Bear River, Mt. Uniacke, Digby Neck and Islands, where he became one of the first Nurse Practitioner Physician Collaborators for the area. In addition to the full schedule, Dr. Roy took great pleasure from mentoring approximately 12 medical students over a number of years; he has remained in contact with many students, staff, patients and colleagues from that time. Roy served as chief of staff for 2 years at Digby General Hospital where he garnered tremendous respect from the nurses and staff.
Dr. Roy enjoyed many passions: cooking Louisiana cuisine such as gumbo, etoufee, corn bread and homemade bread to share with staff who were always delighted and appreciative of his kindness on long night shifts. There was often a request for more, paired with a covered dish to fill. With characteristic wry wit, he adopted the tag name of “Chef – Roy – RD”. Roy was a social person who never met a stranger and could often be accused of slowing the office momentum as he was exchanging stories, recipes, photography, and books, NFL or college scores (big fan of Tom Brady), fishing stories, grandchildren stories with his patients.
During the evenings, he loved to watch football games with his buddies Don and Ron. He loved watching BGT and admired the wide ranging musical talents of newcomers and seasoned professionals including, but not limited to Susan Boyle, Tom Ball, Sarah Brightman, and most lately, Andre Rieu. Dr. Roy’s passion for gardening included flowers, vegetables and all of the scattered wanderers sent by Mother Nature.
Dr. Roy’s love of people was evident in the time that he took to never rush anyone out of his office and his genuine interest in them as individuals. Never a kinder, gentler, caring or more charismatic man whose primary passion was his family and his career.
Roy, you will never know the depth of sorrow and empty hearts you are leaving behind and how we will miss your office humor, your straight shooting responses and your RX for weight loss to be pinned on all refrigerator doors.
Roy is survived by his loving wife Carol Ann, the aforementioned children, stepchildren and grandchildren, as well as his sister Pauline Harding of Victoria, BC, his brother-in-law Herbert Revel of Salmon Arm, BC, and his nieces and nephews.
Roy was predeceased by his parents, Aubrey and May (Webb) Harding, his sister Doreen Harding of Victoria, BC, and his sister Elizabeth (Harding) Revel.
“My darling husband, my best friend, my soul mate: After 42 years of dedication to your communities and your medical world, and to your adored family, you have finally retired you prescription pad, stethoscope, office chair and chef apron. All who knew you will never forget the care and compassion, the cooking, funny jokes, and the generosity in your heart for others. Rest in peace my darling husband, knowing you were and are surrounded with the most love anyone could ever want – the love of family and God. Your legacy will live on through the generous project, The Dr. Harding Memorial Look-off, located on Queen Street in Digby where you first began your love of this tiny town. Dr. Roy’s Motto: “Always leave a place better than you found it”. We, the family and friends, than you for your 42 years of care and companionship. Please Rest in Peace Dr. Roy, my husband, friend, confidant, Chef, photographer, motorcyclist, father and grandfather. I cannot imagine life without you. We all love you!”
Memorial service will take place at Fisherman’s Memorial Park, 22 Maiden Lane, Digby, NS on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Folks are asked to dress casually for cooler weather. Reception to follow at Digby County Funeral Chapel, 367 Highway 303, Conway, NS.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making your tax-deductible donation in memory of Dr. Harding Memorial Look-off, PO Box 1717, Digby NS, B0V 1A0. For residents of Mount Uniacke, donations in memory to Christmas Wish Givers Annual Fund Raiser. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Digby County Funeral Chapel, 367 Highway #303, Conway, NS, B0V 1A0 (902-245-2444)
