Obituary of Harry Frances Vernell

Harry F. Vernell passed away on February 5, 2009 in Gig Harbor Washington. He is survived by his son Hank Vernell (Debbie) of Dotsero CO, his daughter Patti Horning (Paul) of Gig Harbor, WA., six granddaughters and four great grandchildren. He was born to Charles Vernell and Lena Salm in Long Branch NJ on April 11, 1916. After finishing school, he worked as a dog handler and showed in Madison Square Garden. He married Beatrice (Pete) Pettit in 1941who preceded him in death in 1984. During World War II Harry was a Master Sergeant in the 17th Armored Engineers and was in landings in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy as well as in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war Harry got his degree from Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts and moved to Shutesbury, Massachusetts in 1953. Here he and Pete bought a farm and raised everything from turkeys to apples. Harry also worked at the university as a senior technician in agricultural research until 1981, when he retired to take care of his beautiful farm and orchard and to travel. He moved to Amherst in 1993. As a child Harry rode to school in a stagecoach, and lived to see his great-grandchildren sing to him live on a webcam from half way around the world in Denmark. He loved apple trees, the Maine coast, Pete, his children, his grand and great grandchildren and his many, many friends. He was making new friends until the day he died. We love him and will miss him every day. His ashes will be scattered in Lineken Bay, Maine with Pete’s, and a celebration of his life will be held in the Amherst area sometime next August. Donations can be made to Franciscan Hospice in Tacoma or a Hospice anywhere. This obituary can also be read and comments left on www.edwardsmemorial.com.