Harrell Phillip Sundberg

It is with great sadness that we share the sudden passing of Harrell “Harry” Phillip Sundberg on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. He was the eldest of three children and was born on November 8, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan to Evelyn and Charles Sundberg. Harry met his wife of 58 years, Chris, while attending Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. They married in 1965 and moved to Denver after the birth of their first daughter, Gretchen. They were blessed with two more daughters, Ingrid and Stephanie. Harry took great pride in his three smart, independent daughters and his pride in them knew no limits.

Harry worked in the Textile Development Department of Gates Rubber Company until his retirement in 1999. Shortly thereafter, he became a part-time handyman which soon developed into a full-time “ministry” of helping others. He wore many hats: husband, father, son, brother, friend, devoted Catholic, and the one he most enjoyed, being “Papa” or “Hairy Papa” to his six grandchildren as well as to many other young people throughout his life. They loved his laugh, his smile, his corny jokes, his sense of humor, his creative problem solving, and his unique repair skills. “Harry’s Services” soon turned into “Harry and Ezekiel’s Services” with the caveat listed on the business card, “If you can describe it, we can probably do it.”

His children and grandchildren were his total reason for being. The Catholic Church was his daily focus. As a devoted and active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Westminster for over 50 years, Harry ran the soup kitchen for over 20 years and served on the maintenance and publicity committee where he took thousands of pictures over the decades.

There is an incredible void in the hearts of Harry’s wife, Chris; his daughters, Gretchen Martin and her husband Rob, Ingrid Parry and her husband Greg, and Stephanie Sundberg; and his grandchildren; his only granddaughter, Bret, and grandsons Nate, Ezekiel, Ryan, Clark, and Harrison. Thank you to all his family, colleagues, and friends for being a part of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s’s Children’s Research Hospital or the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother: The Grotto in Portland, Oregon…or, as Harry would, help a stranger in need.

To view the live stream of Monday's service please click on this link to take you to the Facebook page to view: Harry Sundberg's rosary, eulogy and memorial mass | Facebook