Harold Bublitz

1927 - 2021

Harold Bublitz, age 93, passed away in Punta Gorda, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 of complications from the COVID virus.
He is survived by his son, Robert K. Bublitz (Leslie A.) of Livonia, son, Richard H. Bublitz (Dianna L.) of Land O'Lakes, Fla. and daughter Patricia A. Proudfoot (James A.) of Tawas City. Additionally, he is survived by eight grandchildren, Molly A. Hendricks (Michael) of Tampa, Fla., Megan E. Green of Tampa, Fla., Joseph R. Bublitz of Northville, Jonathan P. Bublitz of Livonia, Austyn M. Bublitz of Grand Rapids, Morgan R. Bublitz of Stuart, Fla., Stephanie A. Proudfoot of South Bend, Ind. and Sarah C. May (Daniel) of Lake Mills, Wis.; and three great grandchildren, Abigail and Claire Green and Isabel Hendricks of Tampa, Fla.
Harold was born on Oct. 9, 1927 in Pinconning to Karl and Helen Bublitz (Bishop).
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 66 years, Dorothy Louise, in 2016; and by his dear sister, Donna Jean in 2020.
Harold was a resident of Bokeelia, Fla. but maintained a summer home in Tawas City. He had been a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tawas City since youth and was also a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in North Fort Myers, Fla.
Harold's father started in the petroleum distribution business in Pinconning during the 1920s and then joined with a business partner in 1928 to service the growing auto-travel sector. Harold moved to Tawas City in 1939 with his father and sister Donna when his father acquired a similar Tawas-based petroleum distribution business.
Harold graduated from Tawas City High School in 1945, entered military service in January 1946 and was honorably discharged in May 1947. He then joined his father's business full-time and assumed direction of Bublitz Oil Company upon his father's death in 1958. He remained active in the company until his full retirement many decades later.
Harold married Dorothy Louise Buch on Dec. 17, 1949 and so remained until her death in April 2016. Together, during retirement, they enjoyed wintering at their home in Bokeelia for many years, returning to Tawas for the summer months. Harold enjoyed outdoor sports including fishing trips to Canada, fishing in Tawas Bay during the fall salmon runs and, in particular, fishing from his special trolling boat for sea trout in the waters near his Florida home.
Likewise, Harold had a special affinity for fall hunting camp life, beginning in the 1930s at his father's and former Pinconning business partner's camp in northern Michigan and later together with his sons and the same family partners at their camp in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Arrangements have been accommodated by Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas City. Funeral services will be held at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tawas City on Saturday, Feb. 13 beginning at 11 a.m. Harold will lie in state beginning at 10 am at the church prior to the service. Burial will be in Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery Tawas City in a private committal at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church.