Obituary of Harold J. Speer

Harold J. Speer of Monticello died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at the Skilled Nursing Unit at CRMC in Harris with his wife by his side. He was 90. The son of the late John Speer and Helen Dietrick Speer, he was born April 26, 1920 in Wilkes Barre, PA. Harold enlisted in the United States Army in November 1942 and served as captain in the 313th Infantry 79th Division in World War II. He was a retired manager for the A & P Tea Company; was also a dispatcher after retirement for the Village of Monticello Police Dept and Highway Dept. Harold was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Monticello and was one of the first appointed Eucharistic Ministers, as well as the custodian for many years, and a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a life member of the Monticello Fire Dept., the Monticello Elk's Lodge #1544, and the Monticello American Legion Ruddick-Trowbridge Post#73. He is survived by his wife of 65 years: Zita Duffy Speer, at home; two sons: Philip Speer & his wife Susan of Monticello and Michael J. Speer & his wife Debbie of White Sulphur Springs; four grandchildren: Shawn, Ryan & his wife Amanda, Kevin & his wife Katie, and his 'tinkerbell' Carly & her fiancé John Picard; two great grandsons: Finn and Aden; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters: Margaret McAndrew, Eleanor Duffy and Doris Busch. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 3 from 2-4 & 6-9pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 4 at 10:00am at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Broadway and Liberty Street in Monticello with Fr. Stanislaus Ogbonna officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Monticello. His family would like to thank Dr. Sheldon Leidner, and the nurses and staff at the Skilled Nursing Unit for the extraordinary care given to Harold over the years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Skilled Nursing Unit at CRMC, "In Memory of Harold Speer" P.O. Box 800, Harris, NY 12742. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com