Obituary of David Robert Harkness

     Long-time Brockville and area resident, Dave Harkness, died at St. Lawrence Lodge on Thursday, November 21, 2024.  He was 82.

     David Robert Harkness, who was born in Kingston on February 1, 1942, was the son of the late Eva and Bob Harkness. For most of his life he lived in Brockville and Maitland beside his beloved St. Lawrence River.

     After high school, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and was posted to Halifax where he trained as a hull mechanic and ship’s clearance diver.  Following his time in the navy, he returned to the Brockville area and worked at a variety of jobs before becoming a maintenance mechanic at the Phillips Cables plant, a position he held for most of his working career.

     Dave could repair or build almost anything he put his hands to.
His hobbies included playing hockey, racing boats, downhill skiing and golf.  He also enjoyed painting landscapes and was particularly adept at carving both small and life-sized figures out of wood.

     He was the dear husband of Audrey whom he married in September of 1980.  Father to Jeff (Jana) and Jill, David (Cathy) and Gordon (Louise).  Beloved Poppa to Cale, Tracy, Melody, Matthew, Nathan, Sarah and a great-grandfather to Wren and Ellie.

     Family and friends will be received at the Barclay Funeral Home in Brockville on Friday, November 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 30 where the funeral will be held in the Chapel at 11 a.m. A private interment will be held at the Harkness Family Cemetery in Iroquois.

     In memory of Dave, donations to the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation Palliative Care Program or The Salvation Army in Brockville will be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Messages of condolence may be sent online at ​www.barclayfuneralhome.com​.