Obituary of Harold J. Fowler

Harold John David Fowler, Sr. was born on Saturday, November 29, 1930 in Copiague, New York. Weather archives report that Saturday, November 29th was 41 degrees on Long Island when Audrey and Philip Fowler welcomed their third son into their world. As a youth, Harold's adventurous spirit lead him to explore the "HOW' in life. Whether it was "HOW" he and his buddies could explore the vast landscape of Amityville and when hunger hit, picked berries and (if you were on land) dug for potatoes that turned into "Mickies" when roasted in an open fire or clams (if you were on water) eaten on the half shell learning, all the while, the rich bounty of Amityville. Or, if and when, he stumbled upon something that didn't work, 'HOW' he could take it home, de-construct and re-purpose it believing in the possibility of redesign and creation. And, just as important, Harold learned all that he saw, tasted and felt could be shared with others in the form of story telling. In years to come, Harold's words would motivate, mesmerize and captivate many. Such as the time when he commanded silence as his nighttime haunted story enfolded only to end with children screaming as they fled the backyard playhouse! Romance would lead to love. Dating one of the Huntington Houston girls, Ernestine Elmira Houston, Harold asked for her hand in marriage on March 17, 1951. He joined the U S Army later that year and was stationed at Ft. Dix, NJ, Ft. Lee, Virginia and Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He attained his high school diploma while serving America and applied his mechanical prowess to repairing army vehicles. He was honorably discharged and he and Ernestine purchased a home on Smith Street in Amityville, N. Y. Their union delivered four children, Iris Tania, Harold John David Jr., William Charles and Kevin Lance. Harold was employed at Grumman in Bethpage, N. Y. as an airplane mechanic. His skill and agility was highly valued at Grumman as he was consistently sought out for his speed and accuracy in riveting. Harold also received numerous "Inqenuity Awards" for saving countless man-hours. And, during his employ, Harold continued to enjoy his beloved game of baseball. To him, "striking someone out" was not an option, it was mandatory. And, he had the "knuckle ball" to do it! He retired from Grumman in the 1980s. Harold's love of people, animals and pursuing the 'HOW' was demonstrated in numerous ways. If you rode in his backyard built go-cart, climbed his self built playhouse, walked on his garage constructed stilts, donned a pair of his black walnut earrings, caught crab out of his crab traps, had your boat, car, house, appliance repaired, ate BBQ out of his brick built BBQ pit or drank a cool drink out of his wishing well cooler, consumed eggs from his chickens, you brought joy to him when he could do for you. If Harold gave you guidance through the Sons of the American Legion, a ride, a dollar, his tools, a Long Island Native Whole Family Tee shirt, clams, fish, corn, meat, bread, clothes, shelter, his smile, laughter and his time that made him smile because he was a giver. And, if you laughed at his puns and jokes, marveled at his verbosity, danced the "electric slide" with him, listened to his family jam sessions, ate his culinary concoctions, scuba dived, crabbed, clammed, fished and fantasized with him, you shared in his happiness. Those who knew Harold and came back for more, loved him. His light dimmed forever on Monday, January 19, 2015 at the age of 84. Harold John David Fowler, Sr., was predeceased by his parents Philip and Audrey, his brothers Philip and Theodore, his son Harold and his grandson, Lance. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine, his children, Iris, William and Kevin, his sister, Beverly Latimore, two sister-in-laws, Delores Fowler and Louise Fowler, grandchildren Syreeta, Shimone, Jennifer, Anthony, Christopher, Forrest, Kasha, Kyla, Corey and Jaiden, 12 great-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.