Harold R Poole, also known as “Porky,” a life long resident of Port Washington passed away on March 22, 2018, at the age of 98.
Harold was born in 1919 in a house on Carlton Ave, at a time when Port and dirt roads, sands pits, and went to school in what is now the Landmark Building. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 21 and spent the next five years over seas. Harold served as a Boatswain on an LST mostly in the Mediterranean. He was involved in the landings at Corsica, Elbe, Anzio and the South of France. His ship was on their way to the Phillipines, when the war ended, and he returned home to Port.
Before enlisting, Harold became a volunteer fireman at Protection Engine Company, where he served for the next 77 years. In his first year, he was elected 1st Assistant Foreman, and then served as Foreman in 1940s. Harold was active on the Rangers Drill Team and was part of the 1946 Nassau County Championship team. He also played in the both the town and 8th Battalion baseball leagues.
Harold’s involvement in the Fire Department, and his dedication to this town, continued over the course of his life. He was a founding member of the department’s Blood Bank Drive, a member of the Entertainment and Grave Committee’s, and member of the Board of Directors of the PW Fire Department. He was a Nassau County and NY State delegate, a member of the “Old” Bug House Hose Company, and a regular participant in the Clearing House Legislative Conferences. He had also been a member of the PW Benevolent Exempt Association for most of his years with the company.
The firehouse was his home away from home, where he forged friendships with the other men in the company that would last a lifetime. They bonded over clambakes, parades, card games, golf and the NY Rangers. Harold was known as a quiet, strong, and honest man who earned the trust and respect of everyone who knew him. He set an example of how to live your life with gratitude and dignity, never complaining about the hardships he faced, and enjoying his life to the fullest. He raised two daughters as a single parent for most of their lives, and was a doting, generous, and fun-loving grandfather to his three grandchildren. He put his family above all else, and devoted his life to being the best father and grandfather anyone could possibly hope for.
He was preceded in death 47 years ago by his wife, Eva, the “love of his life.,” and the death of his first born son several years prior to Eva. He was well-loved by many for all his 98 years, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him.
He is survived by his daughters Carole McCarvill (husband Jim), Gail Smith (husband Andy), and his three grandchildren, Lucas Smith, Malcolm McCarvill & Alex McCarvill.
His funeral services were held at Protection Engine Company on March 26 and 27, and he was interned at Knolls Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the Port Washington Fire Department.
