It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James (Jim) Wilfred Harkness on Saturday, November 16th. Jim passed away at the Palmerston Hospital, surrounded by loving family members. Left to mourn is his loving wife of 65 years, Doreen Harkness. Jim was the devoted father of Alan Harkness and Frank Wu, Doug and Charlene Harkness, John Harknes and James Harkness and Wai Kin Chan. Jim is fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Alexis and Michael Rock, Kurtis Harkness and Meagan, Spencer Harkness and Mackenzie, Jorja Harkness and Liam, Sienna and Kaiden Harkness-Chan. Jim was the proud great-grandfather to Brexton and Teagan, and Scarlett, Levi and Layne. Jim is survived by his sister Mary Harkness of Guelph and in-laws Doris Bell of Aurora and Morris Langwisch and Ross Langwisch of Drew. He is predeceased by his parents Wilfred and Isabel Harkness and sister in-law Velma and brothers-in-law Lloyd Binkley and Eldon Bell. He will be fondly remembered by many cousins and nieces and nephews. Jim grew up on a farm in Minto Township. Upon graduation from Harriston High School, he worked for the Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto, Sarnia and Guelph, traveling back to Minto on weekends to help his mother on the family farm. Always longing for his rural roots, Jim and Doreen, with their two sons Alan and Doug, moved back to Minto in 1966, where Jim initially worked as Office Manager for Canada Packers. In 1969, Jim purchased the family farm where sons John and James were born. Jim raised cattle until he eventually committed himself fulltime to building two farm equipment businesses, a retail business and a wholesale enterprise distributing farm equipment throughout Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Never tiring of his love of work, Jim worked diligently well into his 88th year. Jim is currently wearing his straw hat and driving an antique Cockshutt tractor into a brilliant red and golden sunset. A private family funeral service was held at Hardy-Lee Funeral Home of Harriston with a celebration of Jim’s life that followed at the Harriston Legion, 53 Elora Street South, Harriston on Wednesday, November 20th from 4 – 7pm with words of remembrance at 6pm. Memorial donations to the Knox-Calvin Presbyterian Church, Harriston or the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. The family appreciates the care provided by the staff of the Palmerston Hospital.
