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Harold HUFF Obituary
Harold was born in Leicester, N.C., on May 27, 1931, and moved to Newport News, Va., with his wife, Rosa Lee Snyder Huff in 1954. There they raised their two children, Lewis and Judy. Harold graduated from Leicester High School in Leicester, N.C., and attended classes at North Carolina State University. Harold retired from Newport News Shipbuilding in 1996, with 42 years of service. First working in the Watch Force in his early days, and then moving to the Safety Department.
Those that are left to honor his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Rosa Lee; both of their children, son, Lewis Huff and his wife, Sherry of Hampton; and daughter, Judy Polentz and her husband, Michael of Gloucester; six grandchildren, Christopher Huff, Chelsea Doster, Jennifer Napier and her husband, Josh, Leigh-Ellen Treadwell and her husband, Mike, Jaimie Polentz, and Micayla Polentz. He is also survived by one brother, Perry Huff of North Carolina and his wife, Peggy.
Those that have met him at the pearly gates are his parents, the late Mr. Frank Huff and Edna Huff-Brown; a sister, Mrs. Eleanor Crutcher; a brother, Mr. Robert Huff; and nephew, Christopher Huff, all of Leicester, N.C.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at Peninsula Funeral Home, located on the corner of Warwick Blvd., and Harpersville Rd., in Newport News. Later, Harold will be taken to a family burial site in North Carolina.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harold HUFF
Debbie Bernardi
October 4, 2019
As he was my supervisor, he was my friend. He would give you a look that would make one fall over, but then there came that smile. He was the best supervisor I ever had. He made you laugh even though he didn't want you too because this was a work area. lol He was the greatest and his memories will always be with me.
November 1, 2010
November 1, 1910
Harold was a hell of a man.
I remenber the problems he had when when he assisted me in transferring to Safety. He trained me,he befriended me, He always had my back. Actually Harold looked out for all his people. One Morning when we were talking I mentioned that I wish I had a well in my back yard, The following Saturday I was awakened by Harold at my house with all he equipment to install the well. He was that kind of guy. He always told me he was not sorry that he helped me transfer. There a several things I would like to say but after reading Brad's note he covered it all. It was an honor to know him, work for him, and call him my friend.
Chuck M.
George Bradby
October 25, 2010
Harold was a "one of a kind" man! Harold mentored me from the time I started working in safety and after he retired, we had formed a bond that went beyond the workplace. I got to know his family and he treated me as one of them. I remember the time we went to Asheville to do a safety inspection and he took me by his mother's house to meet them. I'll always remember the beautiful white brick house on top of the hill! Harold always portrayed himself to be this rough and tough guy, but once you got to know him, you realized he was a softee and had a heart of gold. He would always say that he "left his heart at the gate" and this is how he wanted to be known; but we always knew better. I'll always be indebited to Harold for all he taught me professionally, mentally and as a man. Rosa Lee, Judy and Lewis, be assured that Harold loved all of you and sepecially his grandchildren; they were his heart. Be blessed as I am that I knew Harold Huff, Mr. Safety!
Shirley & Bob Ford
October 20, 2010
My Dearest sister, Rosa Lee, and family,
Our Prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort that knowing Harold is no longer in pain and no longer suffering. As we all knew, he had been through a lot during these last few years and now he can rest and be at peace. We all will miss him a great deal. Remember, Rosa Lee, you are not alone, you need anything we will be there. With Lots of Love and our deepest sympathy. "Bones"
Robert Seaford
October 17, 2010
My sympathy to the Huff family. I enjoyed working with Mr. Huff. He always seemed to be the "man on the job". Always serious about his mission. May God grant the family peace in knowing that your loved one enjoyed a great life here, and will enjoy a great life in heaven.
Michael Ford
October 16, 2010
My Uncle – Harold E. Huff
My Uncle, will be missed very much, he was one of the most honest, loving, and hard working men I have ever known. My Uncle showed his love through action more than words. My Uncle was strong in stature as well as in will and spirit. He was a very loving person to his family and friends, and would stop what he was doing to go and help anyone that asked. At times he needed his own space to recharge his energy because he gave it willingly to others that were in need of his strength. My Uncle was a very talented man; he could do anything he put his mind to, especially with his hands. He did woodwork, he made pictures with all types of beans, and he was a very creative person.
Do not mourn for long, but remember how he touched our lives…. My Uncle passed from this physical world, but don’t think he is gone forever; his sprit and energy continue to help others. When it is my time to move on I have no doubt he will be there to provide comfort and guidance for me, like he did when I as a little boy crying for my “crunch” (security blanket) to when I was a teenager cutting grass and learning to help others in need.
My Uncle, My Godfather was my security blanket and I am blessed to have had him in my life.
Your Nephew,
Michael Keith Ford
Clarence Hargus
October 14, 2010
Judy, I had to laugh at your post. Yes, your Dad had a tough side and a "soft" side. I was working on second shift as a Shop Expediter, years ago, and we were trying to get some material out of the warehouse, for a hot job, and a "incident" occurred. Your Dad arrived on scene, promptly, and could have busted us because we were in the wrong, in what we were doing. He didn't. I realized that there was a soft side to that hard crust. He had the respect of all of us involved in that "incident". God Bless your Dad.
Judy Polentz
October 13, 2010
My Dad
Harold E. Huff. What does the "E" stand for? Very few people know. In fact, I only learned of it when I was in my twenties. What does that "E" stand for? Well, I'm not going to tell you. See, one day, I'm going to have to face him again, and as many of you know, his facial expressions can be enough to warrant me keeping my mouth shut now. :)
What you should know is that he had a since of humor. Oh, it wasn't like you might think. Many of you who worked with Dad only saw one side of "Safety Huff." That was the side that kept you safe - that kept YOU alive. My Dad took his job very very seriously, but he DID have a sense of humor. Of course, not many saw it very much until the grandchildren came along, but it was there. I remember while growing up, he would tell us stories about many of you, and in doing so, he expressed how much fun it was to not let you see him smile. He would tell us that the harder everyone tried to get him to smile or laugh - the harder he wouldn't. Perhaps Dad should have been a psychologest, because he loved messing with people's heads.
But after I was grown up and had children of my own and my brother had children, there was a change in Dad when the little one's were around. Would you ever had imagined that "Safety Huff" would ever talk baby-talk or make funny faces? Well he did those things and even gave candy when specifically asked not to by me - the parent. He would say it was his candy and he will give it to anyone he wants to, and I was not allowed to take it away.
He would do anything for us. One of the last things he said to me was to take care of myself and to "kiss the punkins." That was a nickname he gave to all the "little girls" in his life. Since his first stroke he sometimes had difficulty remembering names, but he knew who they were and who they belonged to - and we all belonged to him.
The night he passed away, there was a prayer that was said that mentioned a great table where we will all meet again to enjoy a wonderful feast in Heaven. While that was being said, I got the clearest picture (in my mind) of my dad in the backyard of our family home rummaging through the giant green bean rows and picking tomatoes. Dad had staked the green beans to grow taller than he was; and at 6 foot 4 inches that was farther than I could reach. I think he liked it that way. That way, if no one could reach it, then we couldn't mess up the garden that he took so much pride in. He would plant, grow and harvest, my brother and I would string and snap the beans and Mom would can them. This way he could enjoy the fruits of his labor all year-round. Dad loved the Earth and all its possibilities - from childhood & growing up on a tobacco farm to watering a new rose or azalea bush he had just planted for Mom. He loved watching new things grow. He was a man rich in life, whether it was planting a garden, turning a piece of wood into something beautiful, or being there for his family and playing with his grandchildren. There were so many times when he should have left this Earth from illness, but he kept on fighting. He fought his way back each and every time - for his family. His number one thought, his primary reason for everything he did throughout his life was for his family.
He loved his family and he loved his friends. Our neighbors could always count on my Dad to help them. He would help them mow their lawn or install a well or even get rid of some pesky rodent that was where it didn't belong. You could borrow any tool he had, but he always made sure it was clean and sharp when he gave it to you. And if you were like me (a little vertically challenged) he would pull out the ladder to get anything that was out of reach - even if that meant climbing on the roof to get it.
He loved my Mom. There are not many men who would let the "little woman" keep the checkbook for 57 years. And my Mom loved my Dad. Through the removal of part of his left lung, to his triple bypass heart surgery and then the quadruple bypass surgery, through almost losing him while down in Florida and countless mini strokes and two very serious strokes which left him partially paralized on his right side, my Mom stood by my Dad and took care of him every day that he was not able to take care of himself. I know he loved, admired and appreciated Mom's strength during those tough times, even though he was not always the most gracious patient.
My brother and I come from very strong parents and I intend to use that strength to look back on the yesterdays and forward to all of the tomorrows ahead.
I will see my Dad again.
I Love You and will Miss You, Dad.
Marvin Barnes
October 12, 2010
When I was on second shift in the late 60s,Mr.Huff would come thru the Paint Factory in the Shipyard & look for leaking drums of liquid. He would always give you a chance to stop the leak. He would always call me Mr. Barnes & I was like early 20s. He was the greatest at his job. May he rest in peace. Marvin Barnes, Gloucester,Va.
Barbara Roboinson Broadway
October 12, 2010
Dear Aunt Rosa Lee and family,
I am thinking of you all frequently and praying that comfort will be there for each of you. I know this has been a very difficult and long time period for all of you. Aunt Rosa Lee he is smiling now and without the pain and discomfort that he was in. His limitations are no longer there and he is walking around effortlessly. It is never an easy thing to let go of the ones that we love and cherish, but it is so good when we can recall the many times together that were so precious. My daughters will always embrace the beautiful gifts that Uncle Harold made for them. His talents were many and he was always ready to help everyone in the family any way that he could.
Try to deal with this one day at a time and not get overwhelmed by details. I will not be able to attend the service in NC Saturday. My husbands nephew is getting married that afternoon and we will be attending that event. But rest assured that, as I mentioned earlier, I will be holding you in my heart and praying for God's loving arms to be with you all.
Please take care of yourself and I will talk to you soon.
Love you all,
Barbara Robinson Broadway
Debbie Bernardi
October 12, 2010
Mr. Huff was my supervisor in the Safety Department. He was a funny man, and would do anything for anyone. I really enjoyed working with him. He was truly a great person, and will be missed.
Darlene Earnhardt
October 12, 2010
Uncle Harold will truly be missed. My heart breaks for Aunt Rosa Lee and Judy and Lewis and all the grandchildren today. Aunt Rosa Lee... I am so sorry for all your losses in 2010....first Uncle Harold's brother, then your brother, Uncle Ben (both of which you were not able to attend their funerals because Uncle Harold was also in the hospital). Life simply won't be the same without him. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you today and always.
With Love your niece,
Darlene "Ford" Earnhardt & Family
Clarence Hargus
October 11, 2010
My sympathy goes out to Mr. Huff's family. May God give them comfort during this stressful time. I knew Mr. Huff in the shipyard and always found him to be a true Gentleman and Professional.
David Lawrence
October 11, 2010
Harold was a solid rock for safety at NNS. It was gratifying when he came on the job for an inspection/review and left with no notation of a problem. He truly was an asset to the company safety program. Heaven will be better with him there.
Jim Walls
October 10, 2010
My sympathy to the family of Harold Huff. I enjoyed working with him at the shipyard. He was a true professional and took his work very seriously.
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