Skip to content

October 25, 1928 – March 15, 2014

Harold passed away with his daughter Lavonne by his side, on March 15, 2014 at Jubilee Manor in Nelson at the age of 85 years. Harold was born on Oct. 25Th, 1928 to Bill and Elsie Ridge in Nelson, B.C.

Harold was the second youngest of a family of 7 children.

In 1951 Harold married the love of his life Merla Smiley of Nelson, they made their home in Nelson for about 6 months but Harold was a country boy and didn't care for life in the city so they moved to South Slocan and were there until his stroke in Oct. 2012. His final days were spent at Jubilee Manor

Harold worked for West Kootenay Power for 41 and a half years, starting out in the gardens planting petunias. Then was asked to work on the line crew where he stayed and was promoted to Line Foreman.

Harold was very active in the community, working and helping with a boys club in his early 20's, helping to start getting TV in South Slocan, building skating rinks down at #3 Plant for the kids, playing badminton and on a lot of the dances they use to have in the No. 1 hall and No. 3 halls. Harold was also the bouncer at Playmor Hall that is when there were big name bands come in from all over B.C. and the States.

Family was Harold's greatest love. He was an excellent husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather. Harold loved to start his day having coffee with the guys. Some of his favourite pastimes were hunting, fishing and cutting fire wood.

Harold was predeceased by his father and mother, his three older brothers, Doug, Jess and Elmore and one younger sister Florence Secco, his brothers-in-law Del Smiley, Joe Reese, Louis Secco and sisters-in-law Lea Wilson and Dolly Koehle. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Merla, daughter Lavonne (Rob) Ross of Richmond, Danne Ridge of Nelson, and Jeff (Diana) Ridge of South Slocan, Grandchildren Chris (Carol) Ridge, great granddaughters, Emily and Presley Ridge of Castlegar and Sara (Steve) Maloff of Warfield, his sisters Win Rae of Trail and Bertha Reese of Kimberley.

At Harold's request there will be no funeral. A drop in Celebration of Life will be held Saturday,

May 3, 2014 between 1 & 4 pm at the Adventure Hotel (formerly the New Grand Hotel) 616 Vernon St., Nelson, BC. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation to Nelson Jubilee Manor Place Foundation at 501 Richards St. West, Nelson, B.C. V1L 3K2, or charity of choice.

We wish to thank Dr. Bridger, Dr. Janz and the whole staff of Jubilee Manor for the excellent care given Harold. You all helped keep the sparkle in his eyes and his eye brows wiggling. Thank you!

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.

Online condolence may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.