Obituary of Harvey Bird

Harvey Bird of Niles, Michigan passed away at the age of 96 on October 6^th, 2022..

Harvey was born March 6^th, 1926 in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada, the son of Adam and Olive (Strasbourg) Bird.  On July 30^th, 1949 he married Simone Derynck who passed away in November 2021 after 72 years of marriage.

Harvey was a loving husband and father.  He was involved in Boy Scouts of America for many years in both Belleville and Niles.  He was also an excellent wood crafter and enjoyed vegetable gardening. He and Simone travelled extensively in their retirement years.  He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles. Harvey loved music and was able to play piano, banjo, accordian and violin without ever having a lesson.  His melodic whistling will be missed.

Harvey enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1944 during WWII where he trained as a cook.  His 2 years of service took him to many foreign shores including Japan and Australia.

After the war he and his brother Elwood opened a diner in Tilbury.  He then followed other brothers who had immigrated to the US and worked various jobs in Detroit before his job at Speedway which later became Marathon Oil.  He worked as a transport driver for Marathon for 38 years, taking a transfer to Niles in 1963.

In 1955 Harvey became a United States citizen.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Max, Maurice, Elmer, Elwood, Joe and Wayne and sisters Nettie Dawson and Bernice Taylor.

Surviving are his children, H. Phillip Bird (Mary Ann) of Dewey, Arizona, Gerry Bird (Barb) of Woodbury, Minnesota, Yvonne Lantz (Tim) of DeWitt, Michigan and Pat Teeter (Bill) of Niles, Michigan.  Also surviving are grandchildren Bruce Bird, Adam Bird (Kristina), Josh Bird (Katie), Jared Bird (Anna), Jason Bird (Ashley), Sean Niven, Matt Niven (Jessica), Sarah Bartman (Casey), Greg Teeter, and Kim Sewell (John II).  Step grand children are Dan Sinclair (Carrie), John P Viviano (Mary), Pamela Dresselhouse (the late David) and Monica Kessel (Brett). Harvey is also great grandfather to 14, step great grandfather to 6, and step great-great grandfather to 2.

Friends may visit with family at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 9 S. Fourth St on Friday, October 14^th at 10 am. Funeral Services are at 11 am followed by interment at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of the donor's choice.