Harold L. Priest

MIDDLEBORO — Harold Linwood Priest, aged 88 years, longtime resident of Middleboro, died on Fri. September 21, 2007, at Oak Hill Nursing Home, after a lengthy illness. Beloved husband of Cecilia A (Savard) Priest, they had been married for 66 years.

Born in Raynham, MA, December 17, 1918, son of the late Linwood M. and Helen (Emerson) Priest, he was raised in Dover Foxcroft, ME, and moved to Middleboro and has been a resident for 66 years.

He served in WWII, in the United States Navy, as well as being a veteran of the United States Army.

He worked for 12 years in the Geilich Tannery in Taunton, MA. He was employed as a carrier/clerk for the United States Postal Service, working most of his career in Middleboro, and retired after 28 years of service.

He was a lifetime member of the Mitchell Memorial Club. He enjoyed the state of Maine, where he was an avid hunter, fisherman and woodsman. He was a duck-pin bowler for many years in the Lakeville Recreation League, and was known as a high average bowler. He was an outstanding horseshoe thrower. He enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage with family and friends. He enjoyed gardening with consistent harvests every year.

He will be remembered as a handyman and will be warmheartedly remembered as a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, four sons, Stephen L. and his wife, Catherine Priest of Bedford, NH, David E. and his wife, Helen Priest of South Yarmouth, MA, Edward H. and his wife, Andrea Priest of Middleboro, Dennis E. and his wife, Sandra Priest of Anaheim Hills, CA; two daughters, Barbara A. and her husband, Lawrence Grondzki of Live Oak, FL, Carolyn A. and her husband, Ronald Millett of Lakeville, MA; two sisters, Ethel Hersey of Dover Foxcroft, ME and Hilda Lankist of Guilford, ME; 15 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Margaret Gavette and Shirley Carlson. Father of the late Harold L. Priest Jr., who predeceased him in 1995.

Visiting hours will be on Mon., September 24th, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Funeral service will be held from the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak St., Middleboro on Tues., at 9 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, 340 Centre St., Middleboro at 10 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to: Asera Care Hospice, 40 Washington St., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, would be appreciated.