Harold Ernest Gaines

Family-Placed Funeral Notice

HAROLD ERNEST GAINES Died on December 24, 2006 at the age of 87. As a child born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, he developed a thick Southern accent, a keen and lightning quick sense of humor, and gained first-hand knowledge of the effects of explosives on the common birdbath. As a young man, he was immersed in big band music and was a self-taught and well-regarded jazz drummer, playing with Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Whiteman. He attended Riverside Military Academy in Hollywood, Florida, and then, as a World War II soldier who fibbed his way into the Army (he was half deaf, and passed the hearing test using his lip-reading skills) he served in Northern Africa and Italy, and was a witness to history while stationed at Eisenhower's base, most memorably when he encountered Gen. George S. Patton the day Ike dressed him down for slapping a shell-shocked soldier. He married his loving wife, Ida, in 1953, and they began raising their family, first in Pennsylvania, and then in Newburgh, New York. In 1960 Harold moved the family to South Florida, and as a businessman in Broward County, he perfected the concept of customer service, working with his brother Jack on housing developments built by the Haft-Gaines Co., including Imperial Point, The Landings, Bay Colony, and Inverrary. He set a life-long example for his sons as a father and husband while keeping them constantly entertained, finding the humor in almost any situation. He also took one of his sons to the circus. As a husband, he was devoted to Ida, with whom he shared a rich and happy marriage of 46 years. He also made her breakfast every morning, which always included the worst coffee known to man. And as a grandfather, he spun a most mind-bending Santa Claus tale, and, a gifted singer, he entertained his grandchildren at the piano and taught them the words to that beloved and moralistic tune “Mother, Don't Stab Father With the Bread Knife” followed by his renowned rendition of “El Rancho Grande” in Chinese. A larger-than-life figure who stood only 5-foot-6, Harold was an unparalleled and enthralling storyteller who never let the fact that he was not acquainted with someone stop him from sharing his many adventures. Harold made a strong and lasting impression on everyone who met him, and he will be missed, even while his contagiously joyful spirit remains. He was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Ella Ginsberg, his wife Ida, and his siblings Lewis, Kathryn, and Jack. He is survived by his sons Eric and Jonathan, his daughter-in-law, Karen, and his grandchildren Craig, Hayley, Brian and Daniel. For information, Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel, 305-531-1151 To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries