Needham- Harold C. “Back” Backstrom, 78 died peacefully surrounded by family in the loving care of the Beth Israel ICU Boston on Wednesday March 18, 2009. He was the husband of 56 years to Lillian A. (Maida) Backstrom.
Born in Brockton on October 10, 1930, he was the son of the late Harold C. Backstrom and Thelma (Johnson) Backstrom. Harold was raised in both Brockton and Wareham and graduated High School at Wareham High class of 1949. It was in Wareham that Harold met Lillian whose family summered along the shores of Buzzards Bay. Lillian and Harold have been together ever since those days, marrying in 1953 and residing in Needham.
Harold was a very hard worker, at times holding several jobs at once to support his family. He has worked as a meat cutter and for 40 years was a regional sales manager for McCormick Spices. After retirement from McCormick he went back to work part time to keep busy. Throughout his married life he enjoyed summers along the beach on Buzzards Bay, playing cards with friends and was a well known prankster who loved to laugh at himself and at others. He had an infectious zest for living that lasted throughout his entire life and a laugh that could fill a room.
Harold’s greatest accomplishment was the birth of his only child, Gary in 1967. He spent countless hours playing ball with Gary and supporting Gary’s great talent with music. Often while Gary was in high school Harold opened up his home for “jam sessions” and encouraged his son to pursue his passion for music.
In 2000 Harold had major heart surgery but fought hard and lived to see his grandchild, Sadie born that July 4th. Grampa and Sadie had a special relationship and he helped to care for Sadie while both of her parents were working for several years. “Grampa B” lived on to see Eleanor Grace born in 2002 and his only grandson Jonah born in 2005. All of these grandchildren will miss him deeply.
Harold was a member of the Village Club in Needham where he played cribbage every Tues night with his beloved nephew Michael. He was an avid fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox and was thrilled to see the success of both these teams in the last few years. He loved to work in the yard, grill on his barbecue and to share himself with friends and family. He will be sadly missed.
In addition to his wife Lillian, he is survived by his son Gary J. and his wife Kelli of Gloucester, four loving grandchildren, Molly Notine, Sadie Marie, Eleanor Grace and Jonah Seamus all of Gloucester, his brother Roy Backstrom of Sagamore and his two sisters Carol Greenhatch of Bourne and Linda Sullivan of Attleboro. He was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters, Leon Backstrom, Walter Backstrom, Jean Randall, and Beatrice L” Heareux. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 1305 Highland Ave. Needham Saturday at 9AM. Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church Needham at 10 AM.
Vistiting hours Friday from 4-8PM. Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Needham. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Harold's memory to the Stanley Tippett Home 920 South St. Needham, MA 02492