Harold G. Jansen

Montville - Harold G. Jansen, 89, formerly of Meadow Lane, Uncasville, died Thursday, May 13, 2010, at the Fountainview Care Center in Waterford.

Harold was born July 8, 1920, the son of the late Henry Jansen and Ann (Vandenbroek) Jansen, while his parents were vacationing in Holland. As a boy he worked in the family business, the Blue Bell Bakery in New London.

He went on to serve as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II in Europe. After the war he worked for the New York to Boston Railway Post Office sorting mail. He worked for many years at the New London Post Office, first as a clerk and then as the federal civil service examiner. He eventually became supervisor of window clerks, which entailed the distribution of stamps and post office supplies to all of the New London County Post Offices. He was also the post office representative at stamp collecting shows at Ocean Beach for many years. His favorite part of the job was visiting various grammar schools, speaking about stamps and getting the students interested in stamp collecting as a hobby. He also thoroughly enjoyed operating the cargo ships' winches as a longshoreman at the New London State Pier. He retired from the Post Office in 1985.

Harold ran the American Legion Bingo in New London for many years and enjoyed socializing with his coworkers, family, friends, and Bingo players. He was also a member of the New London Elks and loved taking part in various activities there. He participated and led exercise sessions in the New London YMCA Life Line Program for seniors. He enjoyed swimming laps at the Norwich YMCA pool several days a week for many years. He loved to read and was an avid crossword puzzle solver. He enjoyed picnics, horseshoes, card games, playing pool, ping pong, and egg toss with his family and friends. He was always telling jokes, singing, or whistling and loved being with people.

He was a loyal supporter of many New York City sports teams, because he and his family lived there before coming to Connecticut. He and his wife, Anna, loved to dance and were quite impressive at various banquets and parties through the years. Harold and Anna had just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on May 3, 2010.

Besides his loving wife Anna, he is survived by his son, Mike and his wife, Dawn, and his daughter, Joy Rondeau and her husband, Al. He is also survived by his sister, Joan Legendre; sister in law, Haddy Jansen; grandsons, Harold Jansen, Jeffrey and Jonathan Rondeau; granddaughters, Elaine and Cyndi Jansen and Christine (Rondeau) Lazzaris; several nieces and a nephew; and numerous great-grandchildren. Harold was proud to walk his niece, Ann (Jansen) Richardson, down the aisle at her wedding, and she always held a special place in his heart.

He was predeceased by his brother, Jerry in 1972, his son, Jerry in 2009, and his sister, Winnie in 2010.

Harold loved his family and friends with all of his heart, and he was a very happy soul.

All services and interment will be private.

Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London, has been entrusted with handling arrangements.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, South Central Connecticut Chapter, 2911 Dixwell Ave., Suite 104, Hamden CT 06518.