Harvey Weir
February 14, 1942 to January 10, 2024
Obituary
Passed away in peaceful sleep on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Harvey Charles James Weir of St. John’s, NL, at the age of 81. Born in Hickman’s Harbour, TB, he grew up in Clarenville, and spent his adult life in St. John’s.
Leaving to mourn: his wife, Gail (Hussey), daughter Sharada, and son Jonathan (Bridget Canning); sisters: Joyce (Vince Verge), Joan (Ed Downton), Vera (Kev Snow) and Judy (Alton Locke); and brother, Garland (Cathy); aunt, Avice Mesh; uncles: Roy (Carol) Weir, and Wilbert Weir; sisters-in-law, Phyllis (Ken) Parsons and Joyce Weir; brothers-in-law, Don (Nancy) Hussey, and Steve Wellman; many cousins, friends, members of the St. James Guitar Group, former colleagues at Memorial University Department of Physics and Faculty of Education, and many former students.
He is predeceased by his parents, Reginald and Laura Weir; his brother, Bob, of Labrador City (2023); and sister-in-law, Bonnie (Hussey) Wellman of Calabogie, ON (2023).
The family would like to thank the ambulance attendants, doctors and staff at Emergency Services, and doctors and nursing staff at St. Clare’s Hospital, 7th Floor East.
Funeral service will be held at St. James United Church at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 13, 2024, with reception to follow in the church basement. Because of rising Covid and Influenza cases, the family requests that those attending please wear a mask. The service will also be live-streamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgpiVSf8einAxpuxHD5VZw. Funeral arrangements by Carnell’s Funeral Home.
Donations in his memory may be made to St. James United Church, 330 Elizabeth Ave., St. John’s, NL, A1B 1T9, or to The Gathering Place, 172 Military Rd., St. John’s, NL, A1C 5P5.
Thank you to everyone for your heartfelt condolences. Your thoughts and memories of Harvey are a great comfort at this difficult time. Sincerely, Gail Weir.
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing I was a student of Harvey at Prince of wales in the early 60′ s when he taught Physics and was also studying at MUN
We were very lucky to have him He made physics relevant to daily life as well as addressing theory his His warm personality made you welcome in class
Many positive thoughts – I saw Harvey last at the PWC reunion in 1990 – Class of 65 — a lovely conversation Always remembered
George Garner Halifax
I will always remember Harvey as the man who introduced me to this new and wonderful thing that was going to change all our lives – e-mail. I was working at the school district in Grand Falls-Windsor at the time, and he assembled a group of us at the Deer Lake Hotel to discuss his plans, give us an account on Stemnet…and the rest is history. I didn’t know him well, but credit him with changing mine and many lives!
I am very sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. I first encountered Harvey when I started at MUN as a new faculty member. I remember his enthusiasm, his dedication to his students, and his keen interest in pedagogy and innovation. Even now, I regularly meet people whose first comment about having taken physics at Memorial is how much they enjoyed being in Harvey’s class.
To garland. We are sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. May the Lord strengthen you now and in the days ahead. Blessings to you. Ross and yvonne
I remember well Harvey when I was a young student at MUN. He was most helpful in breaking physics down in terms that I could understand. He was a true gentleman with a pleasant disposition. An amazing educator.
My condolences to his Family for their loss.
Ray Finn
My deepest condolences to the Weir family. As a program specialist in Central NL I had the privilege of working with Harvey during the Stem~Net years. As other educators have said, you couldn’t say no to Harvey. A man ahead of his time with a vision for connecting teachers and students right across NL. All the workshops and institutes incorporated many social events where the real sharing and bonding took place. Harvey sowed the seeds of progress which still bears fruit today and into the future. A visionary, a brilliant mind, but above all a down to earth kind man who always seen the bigger picture. RIP Harvey.
Our sincere condolences to Joyce on the passing of her brother and to his wife and all the rest of the family. We had the pleasure of meeting him through accordion. May he rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. He had that rare ability to divert student energy away from wondering if they belonged, to wondering how things worked.
I am so sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. I worked with Harvey at the Physics Department way back in the late 70’s and we would reconnect at the yearly Christmas parties. He never changed. He was the sweet, thoughtful and funny man who always had a smile on his face and always had something good to say about everyone. I can say my life is richer for having known him. My condolences to his family. I know he will be missed.
To Harvey’s Family,
I am very sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. Although I had never met Harvey in person, his passion for helping others was evident through the way he conducted his accordion lessons. Having known Harvey since 2020/2021 and being part of his first “graduating” class only this past Spring, it was his plan to keep in contact through email and Zoom to work together to further develop our playing. In addition to teaching to play the accordion, he would also teach about the physics of the instrument, and offer life advice through sharing of his own experiences (having just had two children, any advice from Harvey was more than welcomed). He was a very generous man, with a great talent for educating. The effort he put into preserving traditional button accordion music through his website was amazing and he was one of the best teachers I have ever had. He will be dearly missed.
I met Harvey at the very beginnings of StemNet. My first impression was he seems to be happy. His smile lit up his eyes. Over those years I also learned he was an honest and decent man who saw the best in others and led by example and with kindness. His driving purpose was improving learning opportunities for students in the whole province.
My friend, you are missed.
My condolences to Gail and family.
I am so sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing, my condolences from myself and my family. I am blessed to have met your husband Gail, he was an inspiring person.
Love to you and your children.
Stephanie (Hussey/Rees) Kaitting
To Harvey’s family.,
I regret to hear of Harvey’s passing and pass along my condolences to his family. Harvey and I have had many the yarn in the past three years, while I was being taught the accordion by him, being still in the middle of a course on jigs and reels that was due to begin in February. What a kind soul he was and an entertaining one. Harvey and I had a past beyond that as I was a Computer Studies teacher back in the 80’s and up until my retirement in 99, and I was one of the first teachers to be involved in the Stemnet project in the schools. He was such an interesting and knowledgeable person and shared his knowledge and enthusiasm so readily, expecting nothing in return, except maybe an appreciation. We will miss you Harvey.
Gail, we are so sincerely sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. We have never known sweeter neighbours then you & Harvey.
While he is gone too soon, I hope you find peace in all of the love that you are receiving – it is a tiny reflection of the generosity & kindness that Harvey gave to so many of us.
Thinking of you fondly in this challenging time.
To The Weir Family,
So sorry to learn of Harvey’s passing. We had been in his company only a few times but found him to be a great conversationalist and quite an interesting person to talk with. We send along our sincere condolences to you during this difficult time.
Eric & Rosemary Adams
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. Sending condolences to the family.
Sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing..Sending condolences to the family.
Harvey will be sorely missed on Long’s Hill. He was a an incredible neighbour, warm, funny, intelligent and caring. I will still be hearing his balcony accordion concerts wafting down to the harbour for many years to come….Our last good conversation in the driveway was just three weeks ago. Our condolences to you dear Gail and to Jon, Sharada and Bridget.
Louise and Mark
To Judy,Joan and the Weir family
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. May your memories of him bring you comfort during this difficult time. Our deepest condolences to you all.
Roxanne and Otto
Harvey and Frank stopped by our offices in Lewisporte in 1996 just after setting up “ Stem-Net “ for the schools in the province, and he was all excited about the bandwidth that coax cable could offer. Years later the company that I work for Eastlink, connected all the schools to our fiber backbone, and fulfilled Harvey’s wishes from 1996. As I remembered him, he was a pleasant energetic man to converse with. A positive “ can do “ approach to life, with a little whit to splash around in conversation. My condolences to the family, as I’m sure he will be missed.
Harvey was a rare, fine, soul and I have great memories of him from days at MUN in the mid 1980’s. How I ended up in his Classical Mechanics class I’m not too sure. On the second or third class, he looked out at us all (with his smile) and said “Some of you may be feeling a bit lost but don’t worry, this is not quantum physics. Heed my advice and take your textbook home and read it a few times. I have found over the years that familiarity breeds understanding.” Those words stuck with me and I often share them with family, colleagues and friends. Sincere condolences to the family.
I was sorry to read of Harvey’s passing in the Telegram. I have fond memories of my professional connections with Harvey from 1981 to 1997 as a Program Coordinator in Mathematics and Science with the Avalon Consolidated and later the Avalon East School District. Through the STEMNET and Science Fair Movements I found Harvey to be a true representative of the “shaker and mover” type. Extremely knowledgeable, exceptionable organizational ability, and excellent presentation skills ,Harvey was also very personable, humorous, and very decent human being. My condolences to the family.
PS I thoroughly enjoyed Maurice Barry’s Tribute.
We shall miss Harvey’s smile and good humour.He was a dedicated and compassionate professor as well as a devoted husband and father.Our heartfelt condolences go to Gail and Sharada and all his family, friends and colleagues.
Annette and Michael Staveley
I have fond memories of Professor Weir. I had to do first year physics at MUN without having done High School Physics. While a challenge, Professor Weir was kind and always helpful to those challenged by the courses. He would go out of his way to help students, and for a future teacher, he was a real mentor.
I will offer him in Mass at the Basilica.
Fr. Cecil Critch
Dearest Gail, so sorry to hear about Harvey. I have fond memories of chatting with Harvey, and I had friends who enjoyed Harvey as their Physics prof.
My condolences to you and all your family. Take Care.
Deepest condolences Gail, Sharada and Jon, it is never easy to say goodbye to someone so loved.
I did 1st year physics with Harvey in the late 80s. He was a dedicated professor who cared about his students. I ran into hm only a few years ago and he remember me from 35+ years ago. I’m sure he left a worthwhile impression on many students. My condolences to the family and friends.
I worked with Harvey for 12 years at Memorial. I was always amazed at his dedication and organizing skills. He helped me a lot in my career as he did many others.
My condolences to Gail and family.
To Gail and family,
Growing up on Wickham Place, alongside of Harvey(we were children-to us, he was Mr. Weir), was indeed an honour. Harvey was a warm, intelligent, kind, unassuming man, with a disarming smile and a quiet demeanor. We often had conversations about a number of subjects. He had a way of teaching you things, without playing the role of teacher. As I read the messages left by others, my suspicians are confirmed- Harvey Weir was indeed well-respected and held in high regard. Having known him, is, indeed, one of life’s rewards. RIP, Harvey
Harvey Weir: A Tribute
“He seems kind,” that was my first thought—
the prof with overhead projector on cart.
He smiled at the class and chatted a bit
as he waited for the time when he’d start.
He then wrote out his name in chaulk on the board,
turned around and with considerable glee,
pointed at what he wrote while facing the class
saying, “My name’s Weird without the D.”
AC circuits are hard, you must make no mistake.
And Harvey’s expectations of us were quite high.
Still, through his humor, grace, good planning and skill
he got us through it and, t’was a class I enjoyed.
And well I remember the end of that term
and with a challenging final ahead
I must have blurted it out, and Harvey did hear
how I treated its arrival with dread.
But he raised his voice and he said, “Class, just wait up.
In case you have some questions and doubt,
I’ll be out in the lab next Sunday afternoon
and I’ll hang around to help any of you out.
And so that day came; Sunday before the exam.
A few of us turned up and a tutorial class he did run.
I’m happy to say Harvey stayed with us all day
and never left until all our questions were done.
I did just fine in that course and went on
teaching physics in a small town by the sea.
Then one Sunday, around noontime I believe,
who do you think I saw on the TV?
It was Richard Beaton’s Sunday show, Dialog.
And there was Harvey, right there with his Mac,
How he fit it all together, computers and church?
Only Harvey could do that, I was gobsmacked.
I next caught wind, sometime around ‘92
that MUN was about to expand Internet
to a network connecting our teachers and schools—
a brand new entity they’d labeled STEM~Net.
Now, to head up the task of building this right from scratch
who was it that Jaap Tuinman chose?
He needed someone up on things, daring and smart
hard working and he seconded Harvey. Sure you knows!
Harvey then made a plan and assembled a team:
the likes of Frank, Nancy, Joan, Vicki, Deanne, Ken and Dale.
And together got all NL’s schools online first in Canada
In spite of the many who figured the project would fail.
Did he let it rest at that? Not even close.
He then headed this thing now known as CITL.
His bosses, no sages, said it’s all about web pages
and hard times on him now did befell.
“TV and video are from the past,” he was told.
To shut it down they coerced him with all their might.
But he held firm, “It just needs to modernize he insisted.”
And in the end, guess what, he was right.
Last time that we chatted was a few years ago,
I ran into him and Gail at Sobeys Kelsey Drive.
“I’m researching my family and such now,” he said,
“So I’m mostly to be found down in the archives.”
Yes, it’s been some time since our paths have crossed,
but coincidentally, just the other day,
I ran into Jim Paul at an event out in central.
and you’ll never guess what to me he did say.
He’d been taking accordion lessons all fall,
“And what’s more they’re online,” he did share.
And who do you think, instructed that class?
Why, none other that our man, Harvey Weir.
And right now I can’t help but to imagine just when
Harvey arrived at the pearly gates.
Knowing his record on earth admission was assumed,
still, St. Peter told him to hold up and wait.
“Before I let you in,” to Harvey he said,
“There’s one thing I must ask of you.
After reviewing your extensive and eclectic life
Is there anything that you cannot do?”
And now I suppose I will leave it right there
except to offer you my bottom line:
I’m proud to have been a small part of Harvey’s big life
because he’s been such a great part of mine.
Maurice Barry, January 13, 2024
Very saddened to hear that Harvey has passed away. He was an important influence in the NL education world, specifically with respect to distance education. I remember his name coming up many times growing up. My father and Harvey work together on many occasions and for many years. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Pamela Gill, former trustee, NLESD
Sorry to hear of Harvey’s passion, my thoughts and prayers are with all family members At this very sad time. God bless.
Gail and family, My deepest condolences. Harvey was a mentor to me in several ways. As Geophysics graduate students he trained me in doing gravity surveys and we later published results together. When I returned to MUN he had faith enough in me to let me teach several of his classes paving the way for my own career there.
And over the years Christine and I had many a ‘god chat’ with him.
His contribution to Physics education in Newfoundland is legendary.
He will be sorely missed not only by you and the family but by all who interacted with him.
Hugh Miller
So sad to hear of Mr. Weir’s passing. He was a former neighbour and his children were such good friends of ours. Please accept our sympathy in this very difficult time and be assured of our prayers for him and all of you…
Louise and Abdel Mesbah (now at tiffany Village)
Saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. I feel privileged to have known him, first as my introductory physics instructor at MUN way back in 1968, and since then as a friend and highly regarded colleague in the education field. We all learned that the chalkboards were made with glass the day Harvey missed with his BB gun doing a conservation of momentum demonstration! Condolences to all his family and friends.
To Gail and the Weir family,
My deepest condolences to you all. I remember Harvey quite well when I first started work in the Physics Department at MUN in 1983. He always had a smile when coming into the office and would stay to say hello. I also remember seeing him at St. James United Church. What a sweet and gentle soul. May you all ponder on the fond and happy memories you have of Harvey and smile; he would want this for you all to get through the difficult days ahead Harvey has finished his earthly journey and has gone to o the Lord in his heavenly home. You will all see him again someday. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. May God strengthen you all in the days ahead. 🙏
To Joyce and Joan and the weir families
Sorry to hear of the passing of your loved one
You are in our thoughts and prayers
May God give you comfort in those difficult days
Dear Gail:
Fay and I send our deep condolences on the death of Harvey. We were students and colleagues together.. May the God of all Comfort give you His peace.
Aunt Gail, Sharada and Jonathan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Uncle Harvey will be missed but not forgotten and will be forever in our hearts.
Heather and Paul
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Harvey and send our sincere sympathy to all his family and friends. We have fond memories of him from our university years and knew he would make a big contribution to education in the province. He was truly a very nice person. Our thoughts and prayers are with at this time of loss. God bless you.
Harvey was a talented instructor and valued colleague during our parallel careers at MUN. My condolences to the family during this trying period of sadness and loss
To the Weir family, condolences. Harvey was an exceptional professor, well before his time. Thanks to his patience and understanding I completed Physic requirements. So sorry for your loss and all that knew him.
C.ryan/ G.. Bambrick
Gail and family, we were saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. Harvey and I both played accordion in the St. James Guitar Group. I will always cherish those memories. He contacted me often over the last few months since I’ve been sick. I sure appreciated those chats and little did I think that he was seriously ill. He will be missed greatly. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Jean and George
I am so sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. I first met Harvey during the summer of 1965 when I worked in a provincial park and he was a student researcher with one of the professors in the physics department. Later ,he and I worked together many times in the development of the physics curriculum and STEM Net while I was with the Department of Education. Harvey had a significant impact on his students, science teachers in the province and science education generally.
Gail and Family sincere sympathy on the passing of your loved one ..May Harvey’s love.. sense of humor and contagious smile remain with you and bring you comfort and peace
Gail&Family Sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing..Our thoughts & prayers are with you all at this sad time.Sending our deepest condolences
I am sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. He was a dedicated educator and it was a privilege to work with him.
Harvey was an excellent colleague in the Physics Department for many years, and I have only positive memories.
O my Lord! Purify them from trespasses, dispel their sorrows, and change their darkness into light. Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water, and grant them to behold Thy splendors on the loftiest mount.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. He and I were physics majors at MUN in the early 60’s and later became teaching colleagues in the Physics Department in 1967. We both loved teaching physics and the contact with students both in and out of the classroom. We had many discussions over the years on a variety of subjects and I always placed great value on his opinion. He was a tremendous organizer and very persuasive. His dedication and contribution to physics teaching at MUN and High School are outstanding.
My sincere condolences to Gail and family.
Sincere condolences to you Jon, your mom and all the family. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
I first met Harvey on Newton road as we were walking home from university. We developed a friendship which lasted while at MUN.
It was with great pleasure to renew that when Harvey and Gail showed up on Parent teacher night to support Sharada
I was saddened to learn of his passing, my condolences to the family
We are so sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. We have so many memories of Harvey, and we will treasure them. From childhood to recent months, there was always an interesting conversation to be had. His love of family and family history was second to none, and he will be missed.
Sending our deepest sympathies to you all.
Sincere condolences to Gail and the entire family and loved ones. May God rest his soul!
Jon,
My deepest condolences to you and your family for the passing of your father. I’m sure he was as lovely as you.
Gabby
Gail and family;
Our thoughts and prayers for you. I appreciated Harvey’s wisdom and friendly personality during my time as clergy at St. James. I especially appreciate and remember his involvement and leadership with the Guitar Group. I am sure he will be missed by all who knew him.
Rev. Brian and Gail Colbourne
Gail and Family,
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your
husband .I’m sure all of your good memories will help you get through this difficult time.
We were saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. We both knew him from our MUN days and always held him in very high regard. When he and Gail chose each other to spend their lives together, we were delighted as we also knew Gail during her high school years and instinctively knew that this was a perfect match!
Our thoughts are with you and your family Gail as you work your way through this great loss.
Cheryl & Fred Stagg
Sorry to hear about Harvey’s passing. You will miss him very much. I met him at your mother’s funeral on Bell Island. Fred Harris.
Gail and family my sincere condolences to you and family. I met Harvey through college and we had many great times together. Harvey became my friend and in fact he was best man at my wedding . I will remember him as a fun person to be around and a great student .
Roy
Harvey was one of the first people I met when I arrived at Memorial in 1983. He always had an interest in the work I was doing and was never short of encouraging remarks.. Indeed, we would always have something topical to talk about until he retired. A sad loss.`
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. I worked with Harvey in the late 90s at MUN. I was also fond of our little chats we would have at Sobey’s from time to time. Harvey is in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Gail, my sincere condolences to you and your family at this sad time of your life. I will thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers, in the days to come. Hugs
So sorry to hear this.. He was an overall great guy.
Wade
I am so sorry to learn of Harvey” passing. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him over many years. My deepest condolences to Gail and your family.
Doreen Whalen
Harvey sought me out to work on STEM~Net when I first arrived at MUN in 1991. He had a great respect for teachers and what they needed. I am shocked and saddened at the news of Harvey ‘s passing Rest in peace, Harvey. My sincere condolences to Gail and family.
Aah Harvey! So sorry to hear that you have passed on. You and I were room mates the first two years of my university in 1962. Ah the joy of staying with Clarence and Sylvia Martin and the pranks we were up to. Interestingly, I dreamed of you two nights ago. Were you just stopping to say goodbye? ,You were a great positive influence on me. From cross-country running to StemNet you led the way. Condolences to Gail, Jonathan and Sharada and families. We are a part of all that we have met. Rest well my friend!
Harvey was a good man, and I feel lucky to have known him. He had a genuine, earnest curiosity about the world and its contents – people, animals, concepts, philosophies, that I admired. Further, he had a passion and dedication to share and spark that spirit of curiosity in others. His level of commitment to his people – family and friends – was remarkable to me too, and enviable. He will be missed by so many. Thinking of you all, and sending my love and condolences.
Gail and family, Harvey was a sweet man. He was always pleasant, jovial and funny. We loved your visits with Harvey to the museum. He will be greatly missed! Please accept our sincere condolences on this tremendous loss! Love & prayers! Des & Teddy
I had the great pleasure of collaborating with Harvey during the STEM~net days at Memorial. He always brought valuable professional knowledge and skills to the task along with a friendly, kind, and good nature. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Deepest condolences Gail and family.
Harvey’s presence will certainly be missed. Treasure his memory. To ease the sorrow in your hearts today.
Susan and Stephen Pike
A man whose memory I hold with great respect.. I had the privilege of enjoying Harvey as a great physics instructor, a great educational leader with STEM~Net, and colleague. I feel blessed to have worked with him and am very sad for his family, colleagues and friends! One of the great ones! Thank you.
Dear Gail & Family,
Today many are thinking of Harvey’s passing with a great sadness. Almost 30 years ago a bunch of us had reason and the occasion to honour Harvey. Here are the words of 3 physics teachers at that time:
“Harvey, the driving force behind physics curriculum development since the 1970’s, is the type of person you cannot say no to. When others said things should not change, Harvey said things had to change, and then found a way and the people to do it”…..
“Every once in a while someone comes along who has the power of persuasion that allows him to convince others of what he really believes in. One such person is Harvey Weir”….
and, unbelievably, “When Harvey suggested to a committee that the most efficient way to get a job done was to meet on Saturday and Sunday, we all agreed that this was, indeed, the natural and proper thing to do!”
Echoing the above sentiments, I too benefitted from the several workshops and institutes that were, for the most part, conceived, developed and delivered by Harvey. Mainly, though, I think of Harvey as one of my teachers, a friend, and, ages ago, a fellow classmate. Those are the things that make me smile, and my prayers, along with those of Roberta, who also has fond memories of Harvey, is that your own memories will bring smiles through your tears.
Yours sincerely,
Lloyd Gill
Sincere condolences to the family. Harvey will long be remembered for his dedicated service to the post-secondary education of many along with his very significant contribution to STEM-NET and the delivery of high school education in this province. He was a true scholar and gentleman.
Shocked to hear of Harvey’s passing. He was a leader and mentor to the high school physics teachers of the day.
Harvey will be remembered as the visionary behind STEM~Net which brought the first Internet services to K-12 scools in this province.
His dedication, vision, and wisdom will be missed.
Condolences to Gail and family
I was so saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. In the mid 1960s, at the beginning of his teaching career, he taught briefly at Prince of Wales Collegiate,, where he we my home room teacher in grade 10:and my physics teacher I both grade 10 and 11. I also knew him, of course, through my involvement at St. James United over the years. Harvey was not only a great educator and innovator, he was a great person as well. He will be truly ,missed by all who knew him,. My wife Jean joins me in sending sincere condolences to his wife Gail, and his entire family.