Harold
Harold Charles Jr Palmateer
d. September 18, 2014
Harold Charles Palmateer passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Thursday, September 18, 2014. Born in Long Island, New York, he and his beloved wife of 72 years, Mary, raised their 4 children in Warwick, RI. In 1976, they relocated to northern California; in 1990, they relocated again to Albuquerque.
Harold came of age during The Great Depression. He graduated high school early at the age of 16 so he could go to work to help support his family. He and Mary dated 3 years before marrying in 1942. He received his draft orders just hours before the wedding, and kept it a secret until after the honeymoon. He served his country proudly, spending 4 years stationed in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska during WWII.
During his lifetime, he had several vastly different careers: he was a flight instructor, a typesetter, a gold miner, and eventually retired from AT&T. He learned to take life as it came, to endure, and to find joy – and he passed these qualities on to his family. He never complained. He lived a full, happy life and was completely devoted to the love of his life and the rest of his family, too. One year ago, he contracted bacterial meningitis. As he had done before when he fell and broke his neck 10 years ago, he survived against all odds to be with his loving wife. Although the illness took its toll and eventually his earthly body failed him, his mind was sharp – quick-witted and dishing out humor – right up until the very end, and his will to stay with his wife never wavered.
Harold was full of life and laughter. He never met a stranger, and everyone who knew him adored him. His wife, Mary, has said for years “He is the sweetest, dearest man there ever was” and nobody would argue that. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he was perpetually watching ‘the game’. Although he loved all sports, baseball was his favorite. In the early years of his marriage, he was a starting pitcher; in later years, he coached numerous teams for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A numbers guy, he tutored his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through algebra. His famous saying, which we can all still hear when we close our eyes, is “whatever you do to one side, you have to do to the other”.
He was preceded from this life by: his parents; his brother (George Palmateer); his son (John Palmateer); son-in-law (Gilbert Barratt); three infant grandchildren; and many friends and relatives.
He is survived and missed by: his 75-year-long partner in life and wife of 72 years, Mary; daughter Linda Barratt of Albuquerque; daughter Karen Boman (Mark) of Albuquerque; daughter Janet Tempel (Scott) of Mt. Aukum, CA; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of love, patience, endurance and a gazillion other wonderful attributes that would accurately describe this incomparable man.
Please join the family in sharing your thoughts of Harold. Food will be served at their grandson’s home. Directions will be provided at the services.
Harold came of age during The Great Depression. He graduated high school early at the age of 16 so he could go to work to help support his family. He and Mary dated 3 years before marrying in 1942. He received his draft orders just hours before the wedding, and kept it a secret until after the honeymoon. He served his country proudly, spending 4 years stationed in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska during WWII.
During his lifetime, he had several vastly different careers: he was a flight instructor, a typesetter, a gold miner, and eventually retired from AT&T. He learned to take life as it came, to endure, and to find joy – and he passed these qualities on to his family. He never complained. He lived a full, happy life and was completely devoted to the love of his life and the rest of his family, too. One year ago, he contracted bacterial meningitis. As he had done before when he fell and broke his neck 10 years ago, he survived against all odds to be with his loving wife. Although the illness took its toll and eventually his earthly body failed him, his mind was sharp – quick-witted and dishing out humor – right up until the very end, and his will to stay with his wife never wavered.
Harold was full of life and laughter. He never met a stranger, and everyone who knew him adored him. His wife, Mary, has said for years “He is the sweetest, dearest man there ever was” and nobody would argue that. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he was perpetually watching ‘the game’. Although he loved all sports, baseball was his favorite. In the early years of his marriage, he was a starting pitcher; in later years, he coached numerous teams for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A numbers guy, he tutored his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through algebra. His famous saying, which we can all still hear when we close our eyes, is “whatever you do to one side, you have to do to the other”.
He was preceded from this life by: his parents; his brother (George Palmateer); his son (John Palmateer); son-in-law (Gilbert Barratt); three infant grandchildren; and many friends and relatives.
He is survived and missed by: his 75-year-long partner in life and wife of 72 years, Mary; daughter Linda Barratt of Albuquerque; daughter Karen Boman (Mark) of Albuquerque; daughter Janet Tempel (Scott) of Mt. Aukum, CA; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of love, patience, endurance and a gazillion other wonderful attributes that would accurately describe this incomparable man.
Please join the family in sharing your thoughts of Harold. Food will be served at their grandson’s home. Directions will be provided at the services.
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