Heywood, Harley Bruce
Analyst, Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC)
A life characterized by resilience, piercing intelligence, kindness, and gentle wit.
Born 4 March 1984, died of a brain tumour 7 February 2014.
Early on Harley decided to fly and before age10 decided fighter planes. Before being accepted into the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) pilot program at age 18, Harley earned a private pilots license on scholarship through air cadets and a commercial pilots license on his own. During 2nd year RMC his brain cancer was discovered. After surgery, radiation and medical release from the military, Harley completed his Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Engineering RMC 2007 as a civilian (a year later than his original classmates). He worked a year in Kingston for Empire Life then started a Masters degree, which he completed after moving to Ottawa to work for Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC).
Harley excelled always, and always helped others: Queen's University Shield for best all around ROTP/RETP cadet in academic standing, leadership, and sportsmanship 2005; Masters thesis nominated for Governor General's Award being in top 5% in Canada – more than one RMC classmate told his parents "Without Heywood explaining it to me, I wouldn't have passed calculus or physics); Trumpeter in RMC bands, in early teens selected for Pacific Region Cadet Honour Band and the nation wide Canadian Cadet Tattoo, invited at age 17 to perform with the Kamloops Symphony – an opportunity he declined because he'd committed those days to coaching air cadets for flight scholarship exams. At flight training courses Harley earned ‘first to solo' or ‘first to cross country' and gave back to others by volunteering countless hours taking cadets on glider flights. More recently Harley was a Taoist Tai Chi Society volunteer instructor, a director on their regional council, and helped cater for Tai Chi functions. Harley also contributed to open source (computer) projects. Harley's brain tumour became active again and in his last month, from his wheel-chair, with only one hand functioning, with his tumour causing confusion as to the day of week or what country he was in, Harley would draw mathematical equations for his brother Stirling.
A CSEC colleague tells us that Harley's expertise was shared internationally, and that things Harley implemented over a year ago are still in place. His family didn't understand what Harley did for a living; they were just glad he'd found something as stimulating and challenging as the dream he'd lost. Since CSEC has been in the news lately – "Canada's ultra secret foreign signals intelligence agency", his family now understand why his work was absorbing and rewarding. Harley must be chuckling to himself over this.
Harley died in his own home in Ottawa in the care of his parents, John and Brenda Heywood, and his younger brother Stirling with Céline. We are honoured to have shared Harley's journey on to his next adventure.
Born in Dubbo on the edge of Australian outback where his father was born. Moved in his youth with his family to British Columbia where his mother grew up – to Kingfisher, 30 miles east of Enderby. Harley also leaves sisters Tina in Australia, Jess in BC, Blythe in Manitoba, and older brother Tim in the U.S.
On the last day Harley got out of bed, he heard his mother call out, "Stirling, I've changed my mind; I'm not going to borrow your sweater." With inextinguishable humour, Harley grinned at Stirling. "She's going to keep it."
Harley, it is a privilege to have been part of your life.
Analyst, Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC)
A life characterized by resilience, piercing intelligence, kindness, and gentle wit.
Born 4 March 1984, died of a brain tumour 7 February 2014.
Early on Harley decided to fly and before age10 decided fighter planes. Before being accepted into the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) pilot program at age 18, Harley earned a private pilots license on scholarship through air cadets and a commercial pilots license on his own. During 2nd year RMC his brain cancer was discovered. After surgery, radiation and medical release from the military, Harley completed his Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Engineering RMC 2007 as a civilian (a year later than his original classmates). He worked a year in Kingston for Empire Life then started a Masters degree, which he completed after moving to Ottawa to work for Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC).
Harley excelled always, and always helped others: Queen's University Shield for best all around ROTP/RETP cadet in academic standing, leadership, and sportsmanship 2005; Masters thesis nominated for Governor General's Award being in top 5% in Canada – more than one RMC classmate told his parents "Without Heywood explaining it to me, I wouldn't have passed calculus or physics); Trumpeter in RMC bands, in early teens selected for Pacific Region Cadet Honour Band and the nation wide Canadian Cadet Tattoo, invited at age 17 to perform with the Kamloops Symphony – an opportunity he declined because he'd committed those days to coaching air cadets for flight scholarship exams. At flight training courses Harley earned ‘first to solo' or ‘first to cross country' and gave back to others by volunteering countless hours taking cadets on glider flights. More recently Harley was a Taoist Tai Chi Society volunteer instructor, a director on their regional council, and helped cater for Tai Chi functions. Harley also contributed to open source (computer) projects. Harley's brain tumour became active again and in his last month, from his wheel-chair, with only one hand functioning, with his tumour causing confusion as to the day of week or what country he was in, Harley would draw mathematical equations for his brother Stirling.
A CSEC colleague tells us that Harley's expertise was shared internationally, and that things Harley implemented over a year ago are still in place. His family didn't understand what Harley did for a living; they were just glad he'd found something as stimulating and challenging as the dream he'd lost. Since CSEC has been in the news lately – "Canada's ultra secret foreign signals intelligence agency", his family now understand why his work was absorbing and rewarding. Harley must be chuckling to himself over this.
Harley died in his own home in Ottawa in the care of his parents, John and Brenda Heywood, and his younger brother Stirling with Céline. We are honoured to have shared Harley's journey on to his next adventure.
Born in Dubbo on the edge of Australian outback where his father was born. Moved in his youth with his family to British Columbia where his mother grew up – to Kingfisher, 30 miles east of Enderby. Harley also leaves sisters Tina in Australia, Jess in BC, Blythe in Manitoba, and older brother Tim in the U.S.
On the last day Harley got out of bed, he heard his mother call out, "Stirling, I've changed my mind; I'm not going to borrow your sweater." With inextinguishable humour, Harley grinned at Stirling. "She's going to keep it."
Harley, it is a privilege to have been part of your life.
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