Harold J. Gath
...Tewksbury School Dept.; Aux. Police; 83
TEWKSBURY - Harold J. Gath, 83, a member of a large well known Tewksbury family, diedFriday morning, Dec. 26, at his home after a brief illness. He was the husband of Edith T. (Siegel)Gath, with whom he had celebrated a 37th anniversary this past Aug. 10th.
He was born in Tyngsboro, Oct. 28, 1920, a son of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (Leonard)Gath. He lived in Lowell until moving to Tewksbury at age 5, where he has remained.
During WWII, he enlisted into the U.S. Navy. He was discharged as a Radio Operator, 2nd ClassPetty Officer, after serving in the European Theater.
He retired from the Tewksbury School Department, custodial staff, in 1977, after serving formore than 23 years in various schools, most recently the Dewing School in No. Tewksbury. Healso served the town in the capacity of Auxiliary Police Officer.
He was a Charter member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Lodge # 2070, and a member ofthe “Slips and Clutches Square Dance Club” in Methuen.
He was also a communicant of St. William’s church in Tewksbury.Since his retirement, he wintered in Florida, where he was active in many sports includinghorseshoes, bocci, shuffleboard, and bowling.
Besides his wife, he is survived by ten children, Wayne J. Gath of Destin, FL, Donna Lee Cote ofPlaistow, NH, James R. and his wife Virginia (Lippiello) Gath of Reading, Bonnie Sue Gath ofBillerica, Karen L. Gath of Lowell, Bruce A. Bevin of Lowell, Gerald E. and his wife Martha(Lyons) Gath of Dunstable, Rebecca and her husband Garry Fuller of Dracut, Dennis M. and hiswife Nancy (Pasciuto) Gath of Tewksbury, Lorna-Faye and her husband David Belleville ofHaverhill; two brothers, Fred and his wife Louise (Marion) Gath of Hillsboro, NH, Russell and hiswife Lynn (O’Brien) Gath of Tewksbury; a sister, Alice Pollinger of Lowell; sisters-and brothers-in-law, Jeannette (Garrigan) Gath of Tewksbury, Robert Pollinger of VT, Ray Lambert ofMethuen, Emma Flanders of Methuen; 21 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and numerousnieces, nephews, cousins and very special friends in Fla., including John and Joyce Conway, andKeith Doughty all of Haines City, Fla.
He was also brother of the late Leonard Gath, William “Happy” Gath, Charles Gath, MaryMcCarthy and Anna Pollinger.
His FuneralMass was held Wednesday, Dec. 31, in St. William’s Church. Interment with Military Honors was in TewksburyCemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the, National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Director ofDevelopment, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road, Miami, Florida 33136-1494 or theAlexandria Hudson Heart Fund, c/o Banknorth, Main St. Tewksbury, MA 01876, will beappreciated.