Bernard J. Hargrove
1924-2019
Hargrove, Bernard John – Age 95, of Bath, NB passed away peacefully at
the River View Manor on December 22, 2019. Bernard was born on
January 13, 1924 in Mineral, NB … a rural and close-knit farming
community outside of Bath. He was the loving son of John and Fronie
(MacDougall) and the last surviving sibling to brothers Russell,
Basil, Bert, Vernon and sisters Flora, Mary, Avis and Mabel.
Bernard was a graduate of Bath High School in 1941, Teachers College
in Fredericton in 1942 and the University of New Brunswick in 1946,
where he completed his degree in Electrical Engineering. Bernard
married the love of his life, Polly, in 1946 and they enjoyed 68
wonderful years of marriage until her death in 2015. Together, they
lovingly brought 12 children into their family.
Bernard enjoyed a long and successful career as an Electrical
Engineer. He worked in Montreal for two years for the Bell Telephone
Company and then returned to Bath to start an electrical sales,
service and contracting business with Polly by his side. Over the
years, while Bernard was helping bring power to residents and
businesses throughout the rural community, Polly was busy raising
children and selling the first GE household appliances and snowmobiles
to the area.
In 1960, Bernard and Polly began developing a private hydro-electric
dam and generating station on the Monquart stream in Bath. They
interconnected the generating station with NB Power in 1979 and
Bernard continued to work on his labour of love until a short time
before his passing. Rainy days were happy days for Bernard, while
Polly loved the sunshine, so they almost always found a reason to be
happy. They were pioneers in the renewable energy business in New
Brunswick and persevered through many difficult and challenging times
to sustain the business and their family. Bernard was a gifted
engineer and, with Polly’s help, he was able to bring his vision
to life.
Bernard very much enjoyed the outdoors – hunting and fishing and being
surrounded by nature. He loved music and had a knack for playing many
instruments by ear, including the fiddle, harmonica and guitar. He
and Polly enjoyed hosting “sings” at their home with large
crowds of family, friends and neighbours. Bernard was also somewhat
famous among his family and friends for his long and detailed stories
about his many interesting adventures, experiences and near-escapes.
He was known by some as “Sparky” for his remarkable
ability to solve any electrical problem.
Bernard and Polly’s children feel blessed to have grown up in a
loving and supportive home. Our parents were kind, generous,
welcoming and gracious. Thanks to Dad there was always a warm wood
fire burning, and thanks to Mom there was always a delicious
home-cooked meal.
Bernard is survived by daughter Jennifer Oakes of Fredericton, NB
(Bill); son Basil Hargrove of Melbourne, Australia; son Garfield
Hargrove of Bath, NB (Sandra); son Hilery Hargrove of Plaster Rock,
NB; daughter Jaye Hargrove of Bath, NB; son Larry Hargrove of Toronto,
ON (Anna); son Jeff Hargrove of Bath, NB (Rose Lee); son Darren
Hargrove of Saint John, NB (Tamara); daughter Heidi Grant of Bath, NB
(Dave); and daughter Jill Niedermayer of Halifax, NS (Richard).
Bernard was predeceased by his infant daughter Cheryl Lynne in 1961
and eldest son Gregor in 2008.
Bernard will also be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his 21
grandchildren: Jeremy and Ben Oakes; Josh and Jana Hargrove and Sommer
Fox; Zakary and Levi Hargrove and Emily Nevers; Phoebe Tallman and
Hannah Henter; Claire and Spencer Hargrove; Sam and Sarah Hargrove;
Clay and Craig Hargrove and Shelby DeMerchant; Elias and Avery Grant;
and Henry and Stella Niedermayer. Bernard also leaves behind 15
great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who he very fondly
regarded.
Bernard’s funeral service will be held at L.R. Giberson Funeral
Directors in Florenceville-Bristol on Sunday, December 29 at 3:00 pm.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
and Sunday, December 29 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. A private burial will
take place at the Pine Tree Cemetery in Bath, NB. Donations in
Bernard’s memory may be made to any charity of choice.
www.gibersonfuneraldirectors.ca (506) 392-1115
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bernard J Hargrove 19242019..
Death notice for the town of: Florenceville-Bristol, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick