Harold Fitzsimmons was born in 1917 in Delia AB, 30 miles north east of Drumheller. Most of his early education was in a small school in Enterprise, and the last two years of school were in Delia. At the age of 14, Harold started working for farmers in the area. In 1939 he married Irene May Danbrook in Drumheller. After farming for two years, he worked in the coal mines in Drumheller. Harold joined the Army for only 5 months because he contracted Rheumatic Fever. After his recovery, Harold was a machine operator in Morin AB. In 1950 the family bought a house and moved to Spirit River where the children could attend school. Irene and the children lived there, while Harold homesteaded by Blueberry Mountain. Harold worked as a mechanic for 2 years, and he cleared and broke land for other farmers. In 1952 he started a company with Pete Kusuback, called P and H Construction. They worked for oil companies, cutting seismic lines, building roads, and clearing and breaking. They received a contract to clear 30 miles of road at Gordondale in 1957. Though they ended the partnership in 1959, Pete and Harold remained good friends. A year later, Harold bought the International Farm Equipment and Truck dealership with Earl Hoover. It burned down after 10 years. Besides farming, Harold was active in the community being in the town council. Harold farmed full time in Blueberry Mountain, in 1968. The first 2 years the crops failed, but the following years were very productive, winning Harold and Irene a trip to Japan for his yield of rapeseed. Harold’s health started failing in 1976, and he retired in 1977, selling his farm to his son. Irene and Harold travelled in their motorhome, by plane, and bus. They journeyed as far north as Tuktoyaktuk on the Beaufort Sea. Harold and Irene had 5 children: Mary, Shirley, Fred, Willis, and Marie. In 1986, Harold and Irene separated. Irene stayed in the house, while Harold moved to Pleasant View Lodge, also in Spirit River. Harold and Irene passed away in Spirit River in November 2003 (at age 86), and in January 2015, respectively.
Source: Chepi Sepe pp. 184 (photo in uniform), and 408 -409
AGS Obituary Index