Harry M. England

ENGLAND Harry M. England Businessman and Civic Leader Harry M. England, former long time resident of New Orleans, LA, a business executive and civic leader, died at the age of 97, on Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Vicar's Landing, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Mr. England was in the first graduating class of Fortier High School. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving as a Lieutenant on a LST in the South Pacific during WWII. He was President and owner of Gulf Bottlers Inc. and the original franchisee for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company in Southeast Louisiana and Coastal Canning Inc. He was the past President of both the National and Louisiana Pepsi Cola Bottlers Associations, and past President of the Louisiana Soft Drink Association. He was a long time member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Commerce and later served as Chairman of the Board until his retirement at age 65. Mr. England loved New Orleans and worked tirelessly on behalf of various civic and business organizations. He was instrumental in the formation of the Greater New Orleans Tourist and Convention Commission, of which he was the founding President and served as Chairman in 1960. Mr. England was past President of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the New Orleans Sugar Bowl and the New Orleans Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was past Chairman of the United Negro College Fund Drive and the Louisiana March of Dimes. Mr. England also served on many area business and civic Boards of Directors which include Louisiana Power & Light Co., New Orleans Cold Storage Co., International House and the International Trade Mart. Mr. England was an active member of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and served on their Board of Trustees. Mr. England traveled the world extensively, had a passion for growing orchids, playing bridge and possessed an insatiable love of life, family and friends, and benefited all those he connected with. Mr. England was pre-deceased by his first wife, the former Mary Fletcher Robertson of Fayette, Alabama, and by his second wife, the former Elsa McCall Cox of Atlanta, Georgia. Survivors include his daughter, Martha Brockway England (Dennis Konczal) of Mill Valley, California, his son Harry Michael England (Janet Leigh Cambon) of Metairie, Louisiana, and his beloved grandchildren: Katherine, Sarah and Harry Michael England, Jr. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz, A Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, FL.