Wednesday, December 21, 2022
I have many fond memories of Uncle Harly. As his family suggested in his obituary that he was everything "water". Almost all of my memories of him are about activities on water. The Strain's and the Charbonneau's were the only branches of the Morin family that lived in the US and Ontario. Because of this we shared many vacations together. The first time I ever went fishing was with Uncle Harly. He woke my brother Vincent and I at what seemed to be the middle of the night and off we went in his boat with our cousin David. I didn't like fishing, but I would never have know that if I hadn't been for Uncle Harly.
Harly brought his boat to Otsego Lake when the Strain and Charbonneau families shared a cottage. Harly taught me how to water ski. He was very patient with us trying to learn this new sport and I would never have had the opportunity to learn how to water ski if it wasn't for him. He also took my mum, dad and I out on his boat on the inter-coastal waters near mum and dad's condo in West Palm Beach, while he and Lucy had their condo in Port St. Lucie. Again, something that I would never have had the opportunity to do if it wasn't for him.
I also enjoyed many conversations with Harly. As I started studying sciences in University, I was fascinated by his career as a geologist and an instructor and learned a lot from him.
He was devoted to Aunt Lucy and when her health failed, he was an exceptional caregiver. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. It is interesting that his son and grandson have followed in his footsteps with their careers in geology. I am sure that made him very happy.
Harly had a life well lived and I will miss him. Rest in peace Uncle Harly.
Pam Charbonneau
