Obituary for Dr. Harold Edward Pearse
Dr. Harold Edward Pearse, Professor Emeritus, NSCAD
Early in the morning of March 28, 2020, Harold Pearse of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia was released from a short and intense battle with cancer.
Born in Comox, British Columbia to Harold and Margaret (Crockett) Pearse in October 1942. Harold’s life journey took him from coast to coast. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he began his career as an art educator at Richmond High School, before moving to Montreal for graduate school at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University). From there he moved to Halifax to teach in the Art Education Department of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where he spent 30 years as an art education professor, department chair and Associate Dean. During this time, he earned his PHD from Dalhousie University and maintained an active studio practice. For the fifteen years he then spent in Edmonton, he taught in the Education, Fine Arts and Extension Facilities and was thrilled that relief from administration responsibilities afforded him more time for his studio practice and to be involved in various arts community projects.
Since retiring to Lunenburg in 2015, Harold continued to teach in various capacities, continue his studio work and become involve in the community, most notably as Chair of the Folk Harbour Festival and its acquisition of the Lunenburg Opera House. Most rewarding for him was the chance to find a whole community of friends, fellow artists, readers, and solvers of the world’s problems over Friday lunch. “It didn’t take long to see how fine, how gentle, how public service minded, and how deeply cultivated a person Harold has been. He has clearly led a profoundly sensitive and civilized life.” (Men’s reading group member).
Dr. Pearse’s legacy to art and education is felt across the country and internationally through the work of the many art teachers and scholars he has inspired, his scholarly work as a researcher, writer, editor and presenter, but mostly through the joy and commitment he felt when working with students from pre- school through to seniors, new artists to graduate students. His commitment to art making, both his own and that of others was the core of his being
“Harry was such a vital, creative, generative and steady force in the world. He was wise and kind, and oh so creative and his scholarship, amazing. He will always remain one of my favourite art educators. “Dr. Rita Irwin
Dr. Harold Edward Pearse, Professor Emeritus, NSCAD, Art Educator, passed away, Saturday, March 28, 2020 at home in Lunenburg.
Harold is survived by his wife, Virginia Stephen; son, Lukas (Melissa Andrew) of Halifax and his ‘Grands’, Zella and Lila, of whom he was immensely proud; brothers, Ken (Chris) of Victoria and Doug (Kathy) of Comox; nieces, Amanda, Kati and Kristin and nephew, Daniel and their families. He also leaves for former wife, Linda Hodgins of Dartmouth. And, of course his four-legged family members and subjects of his daily drawing practice, Sophie and Frannie.
A celebration of the life of Dr. Harold Pearse will be held Friday, September 18, 2020 at the Lunenburg Opera House by family invitation only.
Donations in Harold’s name may be made to Canadian Society for Education Through Art, The Lunenburg Opera House Fund of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society, or Elderdog.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca
Early in the morning of March 28, 2020, Harold Pearse of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia was released from a short and intense battle with cancer.
Born in Comox, British Columbia to Harold and Margaret (Crockett) Pearse in October 1942. Harold’s life journey took him from coast to coast. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he began his career as an art educator at Richmond High School, before moving to Montreal for graduate school at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University). From there he moved to Halifax to teach in the Art Education Department of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where he spent 30 years as an art education professor, department chair and Associate Dean. During this time, he earned his PHD from Dalhousie University and maintained an active studio practice. For the fifteen years he then spent in Edmonton, he taught in the Education, Fine Arts and Extension Facilities and was thrilled that relief from administration responsibilities afforded him more time for his studio practice and to be involved in various arts community projects.
Since retiring to Lunenburg in 2015, Harold continued to teach in various capacities, continue his studio work and become involve in the community, most notably as Chair of the Folk Harbour Festival and its acquisition of the Lunenburg Opera House. Most rewarding for him was the chance to find a whole community of friends, fellow artists, readers, and solvers of the world’s problems over Friday lunch. “It didn’t take long to see how fine, how gentle, how public service minded, and how deeply cultivated a person Harold has been. He has clearly led a profoundly sensitive and civilized life.” (Men’s reading group member).
Dr. Pearse’s legacy to art and education is felt across the country and internationally through the work of the many art teachers and scholars he has inspired, his scholarly work as a researcher, writer, editor and presenter, but mostly through the joy and commitment he felt when working with students from pre- school through to seniors, new artists to graduate students. His commitment to art making, both his own and that of others was the core of his being
“Harry was such a vital, creative, generative and steady force in the world. He was wise and kind, and oh so creative and his scholarship, amazing. He will always remain one of my favourite art educators. “Dr. Rita Irwin
Dr. Harold Edward Pearse, Professor Emeritus, NSCAD, Art Educator, passed away, Saturday, March 28, 2020 at home in Lunenburg.
Harold is survived by his wife, Virginia Stephen; son, Lukas (Melissa Andrew) of Halifax and his ‘Grands’, Zella and Lila, of whom he was immensely proud; brothers, Ken (Chris) of Victoria and Doug (Kathy) of Comox; nieces, Amanda, Kati and Kristin and nephew, Daniel and their families. He also leaves for former wife, Linda Hodgins of Dartmouth. And, of course his four-legged family members and subjects of his daily drawing practice, Sophie and Frannie.
A celebration of the life of Dr. Harold Pearse will be held Friday, September 18, 2020 at the Lunenburg Opera House by family invitation only.
Donations in Harold’s name may be made to Canadian Society for Education Through Art, The Lunenburg Opera House Fund of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society, or Elderdog.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca