Harry Edgar Soehner

1917 - 2010  (92 years)

• Name	Harry Edgar Soehner
  Born	31 Aug 1917	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2]
  Gender	Male
  Interesting	life story, fire, sports
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-103261
  Died	31 Mar 2010  [1, 2]
  Buried	Saint James Lutheran Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2]
  Person ID	I103261	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	Henry Philip Soehner,   b. 11 Mar 1894, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1984  (Age 89 years)
  Mother	Bertha Dorothea Hoelscher,   b. 25 Aug 1896, South Easthope Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1992  (Age 95 years)
  Family ID	F31572	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Marjorie Elizabeth Mulholland,   b. 1920, Of, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Married	21 Jun 1941	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Children	1. Douglas Soehner,   b. Of, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1984   2. Margaret Dianne Soehner,   b. 11 Jul 1944, Of, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 13 Oct 1994  (Age 50 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F36779	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Harry E. Soehner

  
  

• Notes

  Harry E SOEHNER SOEHNER, Harry Edgar Passing on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, Harry Soehner, 92 years of Elmira. Harry and Marjorie (Mulholland) were married June 21, 1941 in Elmira. Father of: John of Bolingbroke, Tom (Anne Hopping) of Campbell River B.C., David (Linda) of Holland Center, Mark (Cindy Judd) of Calgary, Joyce (Bob) Rees of Gormley. Brother of: Joyce Strebel of Toronto, Connie Wideman of Kitchener, Janice (Merle) Manto of Edmonton. Predeceased by his parents Henry and Bertha (Hoelscher) Soehner, daughter Diane Craig (1994), son Douglas (1984), brother Wallace, sister Pauline Walser, infant brother Lorne. Born August 31, 1917 and living his full life in Elmira, he delivered newspapers as a youth, that opened the door to being hired full-time by Dominion Rubber on his 16th birthday in 1933 (August 31st). In order to confirm the job hiring, and only 5'6" and 110 pounds, he demonstrated his physical ability by lifting a 100 pound box chest-high and placing the box on a shelf. By age 23 he had worked his way up to operations foreman, one of the first eight employees activating Naugatuck Chemicals in 1941, producing vital high explosive stabilizers for the war effort. Harry was also Sergeant Soehner of the reserve 24th Medical Company in Kitchener. He was the Chief, Naugatuck Fire Brigade from inception in 1942. He became a highly recognized authority on chemical fires. Harry retired from Uniroyal in 1974 at 41 years service and age 56. With his chemical knowledge he was sought after and joined the Elmira volunteer brigade in 1945 and retired as Chief, Elmira Fire Department at age 65 in 1982. He was very active in the established Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. In 1952 he was an organizer and promoter of the Waterloo County Fire Mutual Aid System that included the Naugatuck Chemicals industrial brigade. Outside of his career he was very active in local sports and recreation. In the winter of 1936-1937 Harry was a goalie on four organized hockey teams. He was driven dressed for back-to-back games with skates on. The four leagues' schedules were organized around his schedule! The Waterloo Dominion Life Junior B won the Ontario championship that year. Harry's team photo is in the Waterloo arena. The Waterloo Siskins count this team as year two of their lineage. Coming out of retirement, he was goalie for the 1951-1952 Elmira Polar Kings, Ontario Intermediate B Champs! It was the first year of artificial ice in the new Elmira Memorial Arena, and at 34 years age, Harry was the old man on the team! In the late 1930s and 1940s Harry was a scout master and recruited his young bride Marjorie as the cook at summer camp. The couple and the scouts always had a good time camping out at the Wallenstein Conestogo River flats. In 1948 he hand-built his impressive two story colonial style house that remains at 250 Arthur Street South, Elmira, N3B 2P2. He and Marjorie together raised seven fine children in the house. An extra acre of fruit trees and garden provided garden fresh food and preserves. Harry was devoted to his wife Marjorie. These were inseparable partners for 68 years. His community was very important to him as represented by his civic leadership. He was the township school board representative building John Mahood School in 1954. He was active on the church board during the fellowship hall addition in 1964. With son Douglas born mentally handicapped in 1961, both parents were active in helping the association in the Elmira area. Guiding Light School, Arc Industries, and Reid Woods Home were built while Harry was a director. To beautify the town, Harry sprayed dandelions in the late 1940s through 1980s. "Weed Free Elmira" was the slogan in 1948, using 2, 4 D produced at Naugatuck Chemicals. Harry led a full, responsible, rewarding and productive life. He was constantly and willingly in Service to others, and Him. He will be missed by those whose lives he touched. Visitation at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira, on Friday, April 2, 2010 from 1-4 and 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Service to celebrate Harry's life and faith at St. James Lutheran Church, Elmira, on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Hans Borch officiating. In Elmira, champions receive their Championship Ride on the now-retired red 1949 GMC Maple Leaf fire truck. Harry Soehner will receive his Life-Time Achievement Championship Ride, and final fire truck ride, resting forevermore at St. James Lutheran Cemetery. Harry Soehner was a Champion. He made a difference to his family, friends and community! In Harry's memory, donations to Elmira and District Association for Community Living or St. James Lutheran Church are appreciated as expressions of sympathy. www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com The Waterloo Region Record 31 Mar 2010

  
  

• Sources

  [S199] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - St. James Lutheran Elmira CC#2800 Internet Link. Soehner/ Harry Edgar/ Soehner/ 1917 - ....../ Marjorie Elizabeth/ Mulholland/ 1920 - ....../ Parents Of/ James Douglas 1961 - 1984 [S602] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - The Waterloo Region Record (March 2008- ), Obituary of Harry E. Soehner - 31 Mar 2010.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 31 Aug 1917 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 21 Jun 1941 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Saint James Lutheran Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth