August 17, 1927 - April 5, 2019
Harold went to be with his Lord, whom he loved and served faithfully, at the age of 91.Growing up in Springfield, ON, Harold gave his life to Christ at 14 during a week of evangelistic services. Harold completed high school at the age of 16. At 17, the Lord put on his heart a desire to become a missionary. In 1950, he boarded a freighter, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and arrived in Nigeria with SIM where he served for 42 years. He met and married Elma Sawatzky in Nigeria in 1959. His ministry included teaching literacy and Bible, medical work, church planting, and producing material in the Hausa language for Bible Schools. One of the most memorable endeavours was reaching an unreached animistic tribe with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In retirement, Harold taught ESL, proofread Hausa curriculum, helped Elma publish her memoirs, and enjoyed being close to family.
We thank the Lord for the incredible blessing of having Harold as our dad/grandfather. His legacy of loving Jesus and loving others sacrificially is one that inspires us to do the same. "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Harold is predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Elma; his parents, Fred and Alma Hide; sister Margaret Charlton; brother John Hide; and niece Rosemary Gordon. He is survived by his sister Betty Hide; four daughters Charlene (Bob) Blaschke, Cheryl Hide, Denise (Dwight) Friesen, and Doretha (Lyndon) Plett; eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and nieces and nephew in Ontario.
Harold's family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Menno Hospital West 2 who took special care of our dad these last two years.
Harold's celebration of life service will be held at Central Heights Church, on April 15, 2019, at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SIM Canada in memory of Harold Hide.