Obituary for Harry J. McElhare, Sr.
Harry J. McElhare, Sr., prominent Sellersville businessman and former fire chief, passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Lorraine, at his side at Hidden Meadows on the Ridge, West Rockhill Township, on Monday, June 4, 2018. He was 85.
He was the beloved husband of Lorraine (Hess) McElhare, of Sellersville, for 63 years.
Born in Bristol, he was the son of the late John J. and Ethel (Conley) McElhare.
Mr. McElhare was a U. S. Navy veteran, having served aboard the U.S.S. McNair for two tours of duty during the Korean War.
In April of this year, the McElhares celebrated the 62nd anniversary of their ownership and operation of McElhare’s Service Center, Sellersville.
Harry was a long-time member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Sellersville.
A lifetime member of the Sellersville Fire Department, Harry was originally a truck engineer, responsible for maintenance of the fire trucks. He would later serve as Fire Chief from 1974-1981, a term as President, and several terms as Chairman of the Trustees. A mainstay at SFD since 1959, he was at every ham dinner, breakfast, banquet, and carnival. To generations of local residents, Harry WAS the firehouse.
Harry was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Nase-Kraft American Legion Post 255, and Forrest Lodge VFW Post 245, all of Sellersville.
A long-time season ticket holder of both the Phillies and Eagles, Harry had enjoyed attending games with his children and grandchildren. Trips to Disney World with his grandchildren when each reached age five and numerous vacations in Ocean City were also highlights. Harry had also always enjoyed traveling to the Navy reunions held with his engine room shipmates, with whom he stayed in touch for decades.
A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Harry was a man of few words whose gentle kindness, decency, sense of community, and service to others defined his life.
In addition to his wife, Harry is survived by his children, MaryAnn Fosbenner and her husband, Neil, of Perkasie; Harry J. McElhare, Jr. and his wife, Tracey, of Sellersville; four grandchildren, Steph, Travis, Ashley, and Sean; a brother, Dennis McElhare, and his wife, Dorothy, of Lancaster; and a sister, Shirley Martindell, of Doylestown.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack McElhare.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2018, at the Sellersville Fire Department, 2 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960 and from 9-9:45 a.m., Tuesday, June 12, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 445 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m.
Interment with full military honors will follow in Sellersville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Sellersville Fire Department, P.O. Box 315, Sellersville, PA 18960 or to St. Agnes Catholic Church at the address above.
He was the beloved husband of Lorraine (Hess) McElhare, of Sellersville, for 63 years.
Born in Bristol, he was the son of the late John J. and Ethel (Conley) McElhare.
Mr. McElhare was a U. S. Navy veteran, having served aboard the U.S.S. McNair for two tours of duty during the Korean War.
In April of this year, the McElhares celebrated the 62nd anniversary of their ownership and operation of McElhare’s Service Center, Sellersville.
Harry was a long-time member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Sellersville.
A lifetime member of the Sellersville Fire Department, Harry was originally a truck engineer, responsible for maintenance of the fire trucks. He would later serve as Fire Chief from 1974-1981, a term as President, and several terms as Chairman of the Trustees. A mainstay at SFD since 1959, he was at every ham dinner, breakfast, banquet, and carnival. To generations of local residents, Harry WAS the firehouse.
Harry was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Nase-Kraft American Legion Post 255, and Forrest Lodge VFW Post 245, all of Sellersville.
A long-time season ticket holder of both the Phillies and Eagles, Harry had enjoyed attending games with his children and grandchildren. Trips to Disney World with his grandchildren when each reached age five and numerous vacations in Ocean City were also highlights. Harry had also always enjoyed traveling to the Navy reunions held with his engine room shipmates, with whom he stayed in touch for decades.
A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Harry was a man of few words whose gentle kindness, decency, sense of community, and service to others defined his life.
In addition to his wife, Harry is survived by his children, MaryAnn Fosbenner and her husband, Neil, of Perkasie; Harry J. McElhare, Jr. and his wife, Tracey, of Sellersville; four grandchildren, Steph, Travis, Ashley, and Sean; a brother, Dennis McElhare, and his wife, Dorothy, of Lancaster; and a sister, Shirley Martindell, of Doylestown.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack McElhare.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2018, at the Sellersville Fire Department, 2 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960 and from 9-9:45 a.m., Tuesday, June 12, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 445 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m.
Interment with full military honors will follow in Sellersville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Sellersville Fire Department, P.O. Box 315, Sellersville, PA 18960 or to St. Agnes Catholic Church at the address above.