Burial Date
Obituaries » HAROLD A. JR. YORK
YORK, HAROLD ARTHUR JR., 74, of Upper Graniteville, died February 4, at his home. His family had been at his bedside, as well as his faithful and loving dog, Rollie. Born Dec. 23, 1939, in Barre City, he was the son of Harold A. and Pauline (Spredbury) York Sr. He attended elementary school in South Barre and Upper Graniteville, and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1958. On Dec. 10, 1958, he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and became a jet aircraft mechanic. He served overseas at Lakenheath Air Force Base and was discharged on Oct. 16, 1962, at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, as an airman first class. On July 21, 1962, he married Sheila Gentle in Cambridge, England. They had met while Harold was stationed in Lakenheath, England, with the U. S.Air Force. They returned to Vermont, residing in the Barre area, until purchasing the York family home on McCarthy Road in 1967, where they have since resided. Sheila died there April 2, 2011. Harold had worked as a tinsmith in the heating and ventilating industry for many years at Smith, Whitcomb, Cook Inc. in Barre; Dolby and Lilly in South Barre; Vermont Heating and Ventilating in Colchester; the Barre Town school system; the Bombardier Corp., where he was the ninth employee hired; and later established his own business, York Sheet Metal, from his home. He also oversaw the filtration system of the Graniteville Water District, and had been recognized for his loyal and faithful service on several occasions. His favorite time was spent with his grandkids. Other interests included building race cars for area racetracks, and camping while attending NASCAR races with Sheila in Loudon, N.H., where they developed many close friendships with other couples. He loved spending time with his brother, Ron, at camp in Averill, and flying with him. He also loved traveling to Florida to visit his sister, Ronda, and “dubbing” in his shop. Survivors include his daughters: Kimberly Ordway and husband, Paul, of Bradford, and Deborah Ziter and husband, Tony, of Washington; and sons: James York and wife, Wendy, and Patrick York and his companion, Sarah Shedd, all of Graniteville; as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister, Ronda Rexford, and husband, Frank, of Lakeland, Fla.; and nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, Sheila, he was predeceased by his parents; his son Kroy York; and his brother, Ronald York.
