Harris, Guy Lawrence
Our funny, sweary dad, grandpa, and great grandpa has passed away at 93, surrounded by loved ones after a long, well-lived, well-loved life.
Predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Nancy, and son Andrew, Guy is survived by daughter Kim, son Scott, daughter-in-law Margaret, brother Bill, grandchildren (whom he called turkeys) Franny (James), Noah (Claudia), Marley and Blake (Sara), great grandchildren Olive, Ruby, and Jonah.
Guy was happiest (and crankiest) when surrounded by his family. Always calm in the face of disaster, he didn’t flinch when a certain family member set his butcher block kitchen island on fire.
He was a hound for the pope’s nose on a turkey, and he was famous for his potato latkes (secret ingredient was blood from his knuckles as he grated the potatoes and onions).
A pool shark in his youth, and a card shark all of his life, Guy hustled many a child out of their hard-earned allowance. Even his own mother he would skunk at cribbage.
Guy loved everything about fishing, and exhibited rare patience doing it although he was known to turn the air blue when losing a catch off his line. He fished from Florida to the Arctic always keen to hook a big one. He taught his whole family how to bait a hook, and fillet a bass or pickerel like a surgeon. He also taught them to love extremely expensive seafood and how to prepare it. Shout-out to Don at Ontario Fisheries in Collingwood.
Although adored by his mother and extended family Guy grew up without a father. That meant he had to work for every dollar, starting out as a short order cook on the railway, and then at a Haida Gwaii lumber camp. After he married Nancy at 21, he took a job as a travelling salesman for Thunderbird Trading, travelling the highways and byways of Ontario. He eventually bought the company.
He and Nancy moved to an old farmhouse in the Beaver Valley in the late 80’s, and delighted in their life there despite the cluster flies. Tennis, car rallies, dinner parties, flying Cessna 172’s out of the Billy Bishop Regional Airport, and skiing were much enjoyed past times, but the waters of Georgian Bay were always too cold to tempt him to swim, even in August.
A long-time volunteer at the Beaver Valley Outreach, Guy loved having new purpose after a life-time of ‘nose to the grindstone’ to support his family. Over the years, he packed Food Boxes, cooked turkeys, served kids breakfast, and did whatever needed doing.
We will all remember how Guy made us laugh. We’ll remember how much he loved his wife and family and friends, and will pass on his advice for success in life to his great grandchildren, “Stay out of jail, and stay off welfare”.
It takes a village to care for a very old person. Heartfelt love and gratitude to the staff at peopleCare Meaford Long Term Care. Everyone there went above and beyond every single day.
A private graveside service was conducted at Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery. All are welcome to a celebration of Guy’s life at the Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 from 2 until 4 p.m.
As your expression of sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, donations in Guy’s name can be made to the Beaver Valley Outreach ‘BVO’ would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
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Donations: Beaver Valley Outreach ‘BVO’Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Friday, April 3, 2026
Dear Kim your Dad was one of a kind. I always enjoyed running into him in Town. Cherish the memories and smiles.
Lynn Corrigan
Friday, April 3, 2026
The most wonderful words I’ve ever read about the loss of a beloved. Testament to a unique man who inspires us by getting the most out of life. Hugs to the whole family at this powerful time of transition and gratitude.
Friday, April 3, 2026
Dear Kim,
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful character and life! May his memory be a blessing.
Howie
Friday, April 3, 2026
Guy was a great person had many good times with Nancy and Guy he had a great sense of humor really enjoyed his company their gone but never forgotten
Friday, April 3, 2026
Condolences to his family
Friday, April 3, 2026
Guy became like an extension of my family with my beloved Bob and me staying at his home and being surrounded by his warmth, his humor, his never-ending stories, and just his greatness. I can’t imagine the world without him in it. My deepest condolences Kim and your family for this remarkable man who meant so much to us. I know Bob will welcome him.
Friday, April 3, 2026
Oh my – we will miss him! Glad I saw him a couple of weeks ago at a casino! Winning again. One of many memories to cherish. We chuckled that Guy died on April 1.
Norine and Garth Baron
Friday, April 3, 2026
Sending big hugs of condolences for your loss. It’s so hard to lose a father or grandparent because we’ve known them our entire lives and they are stability for us. I did not know all these interesting facts about Guy. He’s even more of a character than I thought he was. I’m sure I know who wrote that fabulous obituary full of fun facts and endearing memories. Love, Annette
Saturday, April 4, 2026
What a wonderful tribute to Guy! Everything you said is so true, Guy never minced words and you could always count on some choice ones! He adored his family and persevered through a life full of many challenges. It was a pleasure to know Guy for my entire life and to see the joy his family gave him. All my love to the whole family and my condolences for losing your unforgettable dad, grandpa and great grandpa xoxoxox
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Guy was always crisp with retorts but a delightful participant at the bridge table some years back.
Rest in peace after a long and full life.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Dear Kim and family: My condolences.
I remember Guy telling me how he used his culinary skills to create his one pot meal each day. Guy was truly one of a kind, easy going and very popular here at The Galleries until it became clear that he was failing and needed more assistance.
I remember some of the fun gatherings at the farmhouse in Beaver valley where he and Nancy entertained tennis friends. These were good times.
Sunday, April 5, 2026
My sincere condolences to the family, I met Guy in 2000 when I opened my restaurant at Collingwood Airport. Guy was a member of the CCAF, I would see him every Thursday. He was a wonderful kind gentle man. After Collingwood Guy and Nancy would come to my place in Meaford, their favourite was Norwegian Benedict. I would meet Guy and Nancy at BVO on Tuesday. Lovely man and lovely family, I do miss them.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Playing bridge with Guy and his friend Peter was always a delightful experience. He would discuss the wonderful meals he was planning for the family gatherings, and doing the crossword puzzles each day.
I’m sure you will all cherish happy memories.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Guy was a long time friend of BVO, including serving as a Board member, and MC of several AGMs, where his joke telling was much appreciated. l especially remember lunches in our old building on Bruce Street, when he would entertain us with funny stories of his travels “on the road”. Even after he moved to Collingwood he would often drop in wth his lunch. Stories would give way to politics, with Marty (Lacey) sneaking the odd hash brown from his plate.
Happy memories of a wonderful man!
Monday, April 6, 2026
I met Guy years ago on the potato peeling line in the wee hours of preparing for the annual community Thanksgiving Turkey dinner run by his son Andrew and Ted DeCorso. I loved him instantly. He was funny, kind, smart and man could he jaw drop swear.
My condolences to the family during this time of loss.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Dear Kim and families
We were so sorry to learn of the passing of your father and grandfather. We send our deepest condolences to you all and will keep you in our prayers as you say goodbye to Guy.
Though there is little consolation in a note from a friend in your hour of sorrow, we want to tell you how deeply we sympathize with you in the great loss you have suffered. No time on earth is long enough to share with those we love or to prepare our hearts for goodbye. Guy will be missed but will live on… like a legacy of love. Remembering with you the life of someone so dear and we will be holding you close to our hearts at this difficult time, but especially in the days beyond… Rest gently Guy until we meet again
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
I knew Guy from bridge in Meaford. He was such fun! One day I admired his shirt and said it was just the colours my husband liked! Next game, in he walked with that shirt in a cleaner’s plastic bag for me to take home to him! And of course, I couldn’t refuse! Talk about giving up the shirt off his back! We miss him very much.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Oh that just makes me smile to think of him doing that. One day Guy did exactly the same thing for me but it was a painting at his home here in the Galleries that he had hanging on his wall that I truly loved. That painting was called orange on Blue Plate and with great pride he hung it on our kitchen wall one afternoon. Guy said that it always made him happy to think of me enjoying it in my own home.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
I had a few games of tennis as his partner.could always depend on some wonderful story from him. Was also at the bridge table as an adversary. He was tricky player. Enjoyed visiting the”farm” and the donkey. Not many like him. Rest in peace
Thursday, April 9, 2026
I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Although I hadn’t seen him in the past couple of years, I always made an effort to stay in touch and check in, because of how much he meant to me and to our family.
Our connection goes back generations—his mother and my grandmother shared a close bond, and over time he became like an uncle to my mother and a great-uncle figure in my life. Through Kim and my cousin Megan, that connection extended even further, and I always felt like part of the extended family, especially with his grandchildren.
He was truly a larger-than-life presence. A man who faced challenges head-on, built his life through hard work and determination, and carried himself with a strength and authenticity that left a lasting impression on everyone around him. He had that old-school character, direct, honest, and grounded, someone who never minced words and always made it clear where you stood. There was something deeply reassuring and admirable about that.
More than anything, his love for his family was undeniable, especially the way he adored his wife. That kind of loyalty and devotion is something that stays with you when you witness it.
He had a way of making an impact without even realizing it. I looked up to him, respected him deeply, and genuinely enjoyed every moment spent in his presence. His energy, his perspective, and the way he carried himself left a mark on me that I’ll carry forward.
I had hoped to see him again recently and spend some time together, and I’ll always wish that moment had come. But I’m grateful for the connection we had and the role he played in my life.
He will be remembered with a great deal of respect, admiration, appreciation & of course, love.
Rest well, Guy ❤️
Friday, April 17, 2026
I have such fond memories of Guy and Nancy visiting way back when you lived in NYC, Kim. What dear souls they both were. I remember your dad being very funny, too. Sounds like he had a rich life. Never afraid to reinvent himself. I love the photos!
My deepest condolences.