Father’s Day is undoubtedly special for every Aspira patriarch, but few have it better, or bigger, than Harold. This Father’s Day, he’ll be one of six dads in his four-generation family proudly celebrating all that they’ve managed to build, together.  

But Father’s Day isn’t the only upcoming reason to celebrate for Harold. He’ll also be marking his 97th birthday on the same Sunday, along with his daughter’s birthday just two days later. 19 of Harold’s favourite people will fill the activities room at Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens, along with Harold’s heart. We can certainly count on Harold being the main attraction at their upcoming Fathers’ Day Birthday Shindig. Afterall, it’s not every day that the family patriarch turns 97 on Father’s Day! 

A Father’s Day Warm-Up Party

At Aspira, we were as excited as Harold is, so we decided to throw a father-filled warm-up party in his honour. We brought five dads from his family together for a photo shoot, and for a heartwarming conversation about what makes them so strong, inseparable, and built to last.  

Harold’s Secret: “Always Make Up”

Harold, a former draftsman and miniature boatbuilder, is also a proud family builder. His own dad was a British soldier serving in WWI and WWII, and Harold didn’t get to see him much or know him well.  Harold’s Grandfather, his Great Grandfather and his Great Great Grandfather were all fishermen in the English Channel, so it would seem boats are in his blood. Harold’s secret to keeping his family together and going strong, which includes his beloved wife of 60 years, is never to go to bed angry at anyone. “Always make up”, says Harold, “If you have an argument, settle it before you go to bed. It works. Always. And compromise. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But you win in the long run.” 

It’s clear their many trips to Jamaica as a family were filled with fond memories and helped strengthen their relationships with one another. Harold’s son-in-law, Corey, describes Harold as “a loving, very caring and understanding man” and has the utmost respect for him. “Never mind Harold being my father-in-law,” says Corey, “He’s like my father.”  

Corey: The CEO of the Family

Harold may be the family patriarch, but his son-in law of 36 years, Corey, is the CEO. Father to four sons and a daughter, Corey is also the CEO of their family contracting and property management business. Despite Corey’s love for building the business, it seems his children would say their dad’s favourite building project has always been his family. Corey’s sons unanimously credit him for passing along his strong work ethic and kind, loving approach to raising children. Joshua affectionately summed up his dad as a “big huggy bear” who has “always given them everything they could ever ask for.” 

Corey’s four sons have not only followed him into the family business, all have also followed in his footsteps as devoted dads. When asked how it feels to be in a family of four brothers, a sister, and five dads, Joshua replied “It's amazing. There's always somebody there to call on if you need anything, always somebody to play with, pick on... and it's just a really remarkable feeling, it really is.”  

Happy Father’s Day

To Harold, Corey, Jesse, Joshua, Jacob, and Jordan, to all the Aspira dads, all of their sons who are dads, and all the other dads out there who are building their families to last many lifetimes, Happy Father’s Day!