I knew Harry for many years while he worked at Salem from 1981 on. I had the pleasure to be a regular visitor and friend to Harry during his final days. I'll bet I've got information few of you know about. Harry married his "'Doll" (his nickname for her) in the guest room of Millville Hospital about a month before he died. There were just a few people present, but I do believe it was one of his happiest moments ever.
He was very alert, inspite of being overtaken by cancer. He died quietly in the middle of the night. While we knew he was going to die, we did not expect it the night he slipped away. I left around 10:00 the night before, and did not think that would be the last time I talked to him. There wasn't any indication that he would be gone within hours. His biggest ongoing complaint was that he couldn't smoke his beloved cigar while in the room because of the oxygen. (not to say that he didn't try to sneak one). He did however still enjoy his cup of coffee right to the end.
He passed away around 4:00 AM. We do know that he was alive within a couple of hours of that because a nurse said that he smiled and waved as she passed his room around 2:00 AM. (Harry always was a nightperson!)
Unless you liked to work nightshift, not many people got to know him well. But underneath that gruffness, there was a kind, caring, and decent man that left many memories hehind. I think of him often...and am thankful that I had the pleasure to be a part of his life in the end.
