Family shocked by father’s death
OBITUARY Woman charged after Oakville cyclist killed in hit-and-run incident
“Why didn’t the driver see daddy on his bike?”
Eight-year-old Lia choked back tears as she asked her mother the question after learning her f ather, Chris Harper, 50, had been killed in a hit-and-run while cycling in Milton Friday night.
Harper’s wife, Melissa Hill, noted in his obituary that her daughter has been filled with questions.
Halton police said Harper, who taught history and economics at Mississauga’s Meadowvale Secondary School, was cycling along Tremaine Road, south of Lower Base Line, at around 9 p.m., when he was hit by a southbound vehicle.
Police said the vehicle fled the scene, but it was found a short time later.
Hill said Harper’s hour-long bike route took him from his home in Oakville through Milton and back. She said his bike is equipped with a flashing red light in the rear and a bright white light in the front.
That night, Harper left the house at about 8:20 p.m., so he could be home before dusk. At 10 p.m., Hill realized something was wrong and went out looking for her husband along his route.
“I figured if he slowed down to change a tire or something, he would still be following his route. Eventually, I came up upon the road closure.”
Hill got out of her van to talk to a police officer and learned her husband had died.
Harper was a father of five: Luke, 13, Ni- cole, 12, Lia, 8, Alison, 4, and Joseph, 3.
“We are dealing with it in different ways, depending on our age and our level of understanding,” said Hill. “Some of the children have moments of silence and then in the next moment there is weeping and then in the next moment there are lots of questions. The youngest children have not fully comprehended what has transpired.”
Hill described her husband of 11 years as a devoted and passionate individual who loved teaching, relaxing with long bicycle rides, and the Beatles. Above all else, he loved his family.
“He was very dedicated to teaching and his students. He was a perfectionist in that he wanted to make sure that what he was delivering in curriculum and content to his students was as understandable and as forthright as possible,” said Hill.
She said the family took a lot of road trips and described her husband as “a voracious reader and a lifelong learner.”
Hill said Harper had been teaching 15 years, 11 of which were at Meadowvale.
Harper began teaching after receiving his bachelor of education from York University in 2001, following a couple of years as an economic researcher.
Hill said Harper left a lasting impression on many of his students, which can be seen in the comments many posted online following his death.
One former student said Harper influenced her to choose a career in history. Others credited him with boosting their self-image.
“He encouraged me to follow my passion when I was feeling unsure about my future, and I don’t think I would be where I am now without that advice,” said Sarah Lefebvre, in a posting, which was picked up in Harper’s obituary.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist the Harper’s family at gofundme.com/ y8zmaaf7. The account has a goal of raising $25,000. As of late Tuesday afternoon, it had raised $26,900.
Harper’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8 at 4 p.m., at Glen Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 3164 Ninth Line, Oakville.
Michelle Maisey, 3 3, of Oakville f aces charges of impaired operation causing death, blood alcohol level over 80, dangerous operation causing death and failure to stop at the scene causing death.
Witnesses are asked to contact police at 905-825-4747, ext. 5065.
He was very dedicated to teaching and his students.
MELISSA HILL