Harry C. Kemp

Harry C. Kemp, 83, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, and beloved husband of Elaine for 37 years, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2012. Harry was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 11, 1928 to the late Joseph and Gwendolyn Kemp. After spending his elementary school years in Greensboro, North Carolina, Harry's family relocated back to Michigan. Harry graduated from Roseville High School where he served as Senior Class President and was the starting center on the basketball team. Following high school, Harry enlisted in the Navy and for two years was stationed in San Diego, California. With the help of the G.I. Bill, Harry graduated from Eastern Michigan University where he studied to be a teacher and was a member of the golf team. Following graduation, Harry was hired to teach in the Berkley School District and continued his education at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Education. In 1956 Harry became the Assistant Principal at Anderson Middle School in Berkley and after ten years was named Principal. Later in his career, Harry was named Principal of Tyndall School, Berkley's adult education center where he served until his retirement in 1990. While at Anderson, Harry met and worked with Elaine Bernat. A lifelong friendship and love began and the two were married in 1974 at St. Blase Parish in Sterling Heights. Following their marriage, Harry and Elaine moved to Royal Oak where they were active members of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Church. Harry's family was his number one priority. As soon as his son, also named Harry, could walk, the two began a life of attending sporting events and playing ball (especially basketball and golf) together. Summers were spent traveling together as a family, almost always by car, to every destination imaginable in Michigan and on the East Coast from Maine to Florida. Harry and his son were as close as a parent and child could be as evidenced by his son's decision to honor Harry as the best man at his wedding in 2000. Harry's family grew significantly during the last decade with the addition of his four grandchildren who he adored and spent significant time with over the years. As a man, Harry was friendly, dignified, quick-witted and unselfish and took a great personal interest in everyone he met. He was a model husband, father, grandfather, brother, colleague and friend. He will be greatly missed. Harry is survived by his loving wife, Elaine and their son, Harry (Leslie). Also surviving are four grandchildren: Elizabeth, Katherine, Joseph, and Sarah. He is a brother of Shirley Dobie, Ph.D. (Victor Bloom, M.D.), Ivan (the late Mary Ann), Desiree Bowles (the late Skipper), Dale (Nancy), Dorcus Worgum (Jerry), Phyllis Breen and the late Joseph. Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 2-8pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons 2600 Crooks Road (between Maple and Big Beaver), Troy, Michigan 48084. A rosary will be held at 7pm at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 11:00am at St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church 2675 John R. Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 with Rev. Stanley Ulman officiating. Visitation begins at the church at 10:00am. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Capuchins 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207-3485.