Harry E. King

CANTON - Harry E. King, 90, of 21 Pleasant Street, died Monday (July 26, 2010) at the United Helpers Maplewood Campus after a short stay.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at noon at the First Presbyterian Church of Canton with Rev. Michael P. Catanzaro officiating. Burial will be held privately in the Redwood Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Lawrence Funeral Home, Canton, where a Masonic Service will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:45 p.m.

Surviving are three daughters, JoAnne Danehy and husband James, Barbara King and Martha MacArthur and husband Peter, all of Canton; four grandchildren, Timothy Danehy, Deborah Lyndaker and husband Jeff and Samantha and Shane MacArthur; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Nathan and Zachary Lyndaker, all of Canton; two brothers, Vernon King and wife Louise of Virginia and Jay King and wife Audrey of Florida; two nieces and four nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Marion Sylvester, and an infant sister and brother.

Born Feb. 22, 1920 in Redwood, son of Albert L. and Mina (Herrick) King, he graduated Redwood High School with a Regents Diploma in 1936.

In 1940, he received an A.A. degree from Canton A.T.I., in 1944 a B.S. degree from Oswego State and in 1959 his Master's in Education from St. Lawrence University. In 1962 and 1964, Harry completed graduate work at the University of Houston.

He married Wilda "Willie" Barton June 28, 1943 at the home of her parents 1016 State Street, Ogdensburg with the Rev. Arthur E. Kelley, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Ogdensburg, as celebrant. "Willie" passed away in August 2008.

From 1940-46, he worked for George H. Hyde Co. in Ogdensburg. In 1946, Harry was the first person hired to develop and teach the Air Conditioning Engineer Technology program at SUNY Canton, where he also organized and supervised a Student Chapter of ASHRAE in 1978 and was the alumni president from 1952-1971.

From 1955-1986, he worked part-time as a designer of heating and air conditioning systems for local consulting engineers.

The HVAC lab at SUNY was named in his honor in June 2008.

He was a member of the NY State Association of Colleges from 1955-1983, American Society for Engineering Education from 1960-83 and NY State Engineering Technology Association from 1970-83.

Harry was a 65 year member of the St. Lawrence Lodge 111 F & A.M., where he served as past master, past district deputy grand master and secretary from 1978-1991.

He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Canton, where he served as an elder, a deacon and was a choir member for 33 years.

Harry first joined the church in 1957, also serving as a lay minister for Crary Mills and Beech Plains Presbyterian Churches, and was a past trustee for Presbytery of NY for eight years.

Harry was an active member of the Barber Shoppers for over 35 years, starting in 1963, and a member of the 10 O'clock Coffee Club at the Cascade.

He also was a past president and member of the Canton Central School Board, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals (Canton) for 10 years, as well as, on the Board of Directors for United Helpers Nursing Home and more recently on the Planning Committee for United Helpers Maplewood Campus in Canton. Harry was honored for being a 25-year member and supporter of United Helpers.

The couple thoroughly enjoyed summering at the family camp on the St. Lawrence River and caring for and spending time with their close knit family. Harry was an avid card player, cook and gardener. One year he supplied sweet corn to A&P Store in Canton from his large garden on Pleasant Street.

Those desiring may send memorial contributions to: Harry E. King Scholarship, SUNY Canton College Foundation, Canton, NY or to the First Presbyterian Church of Canton, 17 Park, Canton, NY or United Helpers Maplewood Campus, State Street, Canton, NY 13617.

Condolences may be sent online to www.lawrencefuneralhome.org .