Harold R Gohlke

The Obituary of

Harold R. Gohlke

June 22, 1943 – January 13, 2026



With very heavy hearts, we share that Harold Robert "Sonny" Gohlke, of Plattsburgh, died peacefully at age 82 on January 13, 2026. He was born in Watertown June 22, 1943 to Ida Belle Dubuque Vidock and Harold E.E. Gohlke.

Harold grew up in the Monty Street home of his maternal grandmother, Annabelle Sharland Dubuque, whom he adoredand credited for teaching him to be kind. He attended Our Lady of Victory Academy, where he excelled in sports; served in the US Army in Alaska, and worked at Wyeth-Ayerst for 35 years.

He married Nancy Durocher at Our Lady of Victory Church in 1967. For many years, Harold was the original "girl dad". The Gohlkes raised 8 children and fostered dozens of others in their home on Grant Street.

Never idle, Harold was skilled in many self-taught hobbies, especially woodworking. People knew they could call on him to fix or build just about anything, and his work was meticulous. He enjoyed music, sang in the OLVA church choir as a young man, and loved taking his kids to midnight mass on Christmas Eve. He always volunteered to drive for school field trips to Vermont and Canada. He loved to be outdoors and enjoyed playing on The Pizzeria softball team, hunting and fishing in the Adirondacks, and spending time in Willsboro on Lake Champlain with friends and family.

Harold was predeceased by his parents and his grandmother; his wife of 50 years; his favorite aunt, Margaret; his brother, Edward Vidock; sisters Helen, Sandy, Pat, and Marion; his lifelong best friend, Don Yetman, and his golden retriever, Gabby.

Surviving are his children: Kimberly, Kristina, Keri, Karla, Matt, Korissa, Kody, and Herrik, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kind and stoic, our Dad was known for his quiet strength; he could control a room full of kids with just a look. He was a polite man who took kindness seriously, and was especially sweet with his daughters. There's really nothing better than being one of Harold's daughters and hearing him call you 'babe'. We're pretty sure he hung the moon, and may have secretly been the real Santa. His cheerful disposition, supportive words, and kind soul are deeply missed.

We leave you with our Dad's best advice: "Be careful, and stay out of trouble. But if you do get into trouble, make sure you have fun."

There will be no public calling hours. A private burial with Military Honors will take place at the convenience of the family.