Harold Boyd Mattatall, James and Daniel’s “Grampie” passed away Sunday January 27th. Harold would have been 84 this July. He was in the ICU at the Dartmouth General Hospital after spending almost three weeks there with complications after a fall. Surrounded by family, Harold took his last few breaths and peacefully passed on. We are sure that James was first to greet him in the next life with his big goofy grin.
Harold was a big, gentle bear of a man. A professional Funeral Director his working life, Harold was also a self taught carpenter, plumber, electrician and all around handyman. He built a Cape Island boat with his own two hands, he built his own home, garage and a summer home. All of his grandsons slept in cradles he made. He reconstructed the Lake Charlotte cottage, installing indoor plumbing for the first time in its long history. He collected and maintained the gear necessary to take all his grandsons fishing there. If anything needed fixing, Harold was the man to see. He was very busy building and repairing furniture in his workshop/ garage in recent years. Just this past Christmas he was making plans to put together small wooden stepping stools for his great grandsons.
The darkest shadow to have ever fallen across Harold’s path was the tragic death of James. He could never understand how such a terrible thing could happen. Indeed we all continue to struggle with that, but take some comfort in believing their spirits are together now.