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Harry Calhoun Obituary

Harry L. Calhoun

September 27, 1953 - October 31, 2015

Raleigh

Harry Calhoun, age 62, passed away in his home in Raleigh on October 31, 2015. His heart simply stopped. He was a beloved poet and husband, survived by his wife Trina Allen and his two lab-mix dogs Harriet and Hamlet. He is also survived by his Aunt and Uncle Maudie and Eddie Domaracki, his Aunt and Uncle Doris and Bud Moore, his cousins Linda Harvey, Coleen Conlon, and many other cousins.

Educated at Penn State, he had a successful career as a marketing writer for IBM, as well as publishing many articles and poetry books. He loved listening to new music groups and looking up the sports scores of his favorite teams, especially the Steelers, an interest he shared with his late father, Harry Calhoun Sr. His keen intellect and great wit were rare, and his humor and compassion will be missed each and every day. To those who knew and loved him, please know that he would want you to remember him fondly for his love of his wife and his dogs, his great facility of words, and his capacity for tenderness.

When asked what he wanted to be remembered for Harry Calhoun always said simply, "I loved Trina Allen."

From his poem "Waiting for Me to Stop Crying"

You hear my tears spilling down on your comforter and you toss once and smile. You know you will wait a long time before I stop crying and longer before I stop loving you.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the SPCA where Harry adopted his beloved dogs: Mail to: SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603, Call: 919-772-2326 Ext: 2083.

A memorial service will be held at Ephesus Baptist Church in Raleigh on Sunday, November 22, 2015 with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. and calling hour from 1:00-2:00 p.m. before the service.

Published by The News & Observer from Nov. 5 to Nov. 15, 2015.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Calhoun

Sponsored by His loving wife--Trina Allen loved Harry Calhoun.

Not sure what to say?





"Time won't change a friend I came to know..." Hilarious, thoughtful, fine creative writer and an even better person who touched many people. I hope we meet again someday my brother!

Paul Fischer

Coworker

October 7, 2019

I was just going over old poems of mine and I decided to look Harry up--he was the first person who published my poems. I'm sad to have never met him in real life, but his poetic presence was part of my life. Thank you, Harry.

Catherine Oates

April 15, 2016

One of the finest people I have known. Bless you, Trina. Harry watches over you.

Sheila Murphy

December 10, 2015

I was so very sad to hear of the passing of Harry Calhoun. He was a master of words, wit and tag lines! As a Marketing Writer at IBM, Harry gained many fans who would ask for him to produce their marketing content year after year. Harry won many awards for his writing and was a special person from the D&ID team.

Cathy Santos

November 25, 2015

I just found out about Harry's passing. I am so sorry. I read with Harry at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. My heartfelt thoughts are with his wife, family and friends. I am so sorry. Harry was a great poet and just a gem of a person. I am so very sorry.

Gloria mindock

November 22, 2015

Fond memories of Harry from his Pittsburgh ... Poet, friend and husband. In memory, Don Wentworth

November 22, 2015

If you're still in people's memories, you're not really gone ... So, Every time I hear a pun, I'll be thinking of you.

Ralph

November 13, 2015

Trina, I am so sorry to hear the news.

Carol W

November 10, 2015

So sorry to hear about Harry. I know his memories will forever live on in the hearts of all he has touched over the years. Draw close to Almighty God (Psalms 83:18) for the strength needed during this difficult time of your life. He will help you continue on each day.

November 8, 2015

You brought sunshine into my life on many a cloudy day. You made me laugh. You made me smile. Memories of you are special.

Carolyn Cable McKenna

November 7, 2015

To the family
I would like to express my sincere condolences for your loss. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May the God of comfort be with you all.

November 7, 2015

Harry was a classmate of mine from junior high through high school. I hadn't seen him since then, but as a result of Facebook, I was able to become introduced to his poetry. Although he is gone, his written words will carry his legacy on forever.

John Halfhill

November 7, 2015

Harry was a fellow writer in addition to being a great fellow, and one of the bright spots of my days at IBM. My deepest condolences.

Phillip Schloss

November 6, 2015

Trina, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Marge Petesch

November 6, 2015

Since I received word of Harry's passing, I felt compelled to reread his poetry in which he bared his soul and I am thankful for the man he became. I know your heart is breaking but we all are better for having known the light that was Harry Calhoun and the heavens shine brighter for his presence there. May you be comforted by the love we all felt for him. We knew him as a boy, an adolescent and say goodbye to him as a good and decent man and that is the true measure of one who lived the good life, loved and was loved, and whose legacy endures.

Jo Ann Long Schomer

November 6, 2015

As a former classmate of Harry's, you have my deepest sympathies for your loss. I remember that great sense of humor and wit that was such a part of who Harry was. I'm so glad to hear that he maintained that throughout his life .
Prayers to his family and comfort for his beloved Trina.
I know he will be greatly missed by many.

Beth Barricklow James

November 5, 2015

I was so sorry to hear about Harry. I was in high school with him and have fond memories of those days. He will be missed by his loving wife and his two other loves, his buddies. May GOD be with thru this time.!

Joyce Watson

November 5, 2015

I can't recall if I've seen Harry since high school but I always remember him. He was one of the good guys. The world could use more of him.

Jeff Rowan

November 5, 2015

Trina, I was very fond of Harry in high school. He was kind to everyone. So sorry.

November 5, 2015

Harry was one of the most gentle souls to enter this world and left way too early! To his wife, stay strong and smile because your husband loved you.
Cathy Stephens

November 5, 2015

I worked with Harry at IBM. What a great guy! So saddened by his passing ... condolences to all who knew him.

Dave Wright

November 5, 2015

So sorry for your loss, Trina. May God comfort you.

Helen Losse

November 5, 2015

Deepest Sympathy to Harry's wife and family! A fellow high school graduate.

Leslie Mahokey Rega, Mt. Pleasant, PA

November 5, 2015

Trina and Harry, and the puppy too, were the sparkle of my trip to the Carolinas. When I heard Harry was gone, I reached for my personally signed copy of RETREATING AGRESSIVELY INTO THE DARK he had written. I found comfort in his own words and thought Casey Quinn summed up well, "... what scars are earned in a lifetime of highs and lows and in the end, he leaves us with a message of hope, that through it all, there is a sanctuary at the end of the retreat." So while it's sad Harry took a little of that sparkle with him when he left, no doubt he's made the retreat a brighter spot to be found. And most of all, I'll remember Harry simply because he loved my cousin, Trina Allen. You are so loved Trina. Hugs.

Karen Gibbs

November 5, 2015

Deepest sympathy to Harry's family on their loss. Harry was a high school classmate of mine and I remember his wit and intelligence.
May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories as you celebrate a life well lived.

Linda Spicola Keffer

November 5, 2015

With my deepest sympathies for your loss. A fellow high school graduate.

Janet Booher/Burns

November 5, 2015

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Harry in this lifetime, but he is a "brother" nonetheless. His presence will be missed here on Earth, as the heavens just got a lot brighter!

Carol Homick

November 5, 2015

Trina, may your heart fill with beautiful memories and bring you comfort.
Debbie Wood

November 5, 2015

Words fail me as I attempt to pay homage to one of the most special people in my lifethe incomparable, Harry Calhoun.

It is not often that one grows close to, or extremely fond of, a person one has only met in the virtual world. Yet, this is precisely the impression Harry cast on me, and doubtless on legions of his fans from all over the world.

I'll always treasure the life's lessons he taught me. His phenomenal knowledge, extraordinary sense of humor, and above all, humility despite his many achievements, defined this exceptional man.

My condolences to friends and family; especially Trina, of whom he thought the world of.

May you find peace and happiness wherever you are now, Harry.

Goodbye, until we meet again someday!

ANAND BALAJI

November 5, 2015

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Memorial Events
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22

Calling hours

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Ephesus Baptist Church

Raleigh, NC

Nov

22

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Ephesus Baptist Church

Raleigh, NC

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716 West North Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

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