Harry T. Jose Obituary (1931 - 2011)

AUGUSTA - Harry T. Jose, 80, of Augusta, loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandpa passed away on October 5, 2011 at his home. Harry was born on May 6, 1931 in Augusta, the son of Dorothy (Ward) and Harry T. Jose, Sr. He graduated from Cony High School in 1949 and the University of Maine at Orono in 1953. At Orono, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity where he served as treasurer for two years and was a member of the Scabbard and Blade military honor society. He received a U.S. Army commission as Lieutenant upon graduation and served at Fort Benning, GA and as a motor officer at Camp Rucker, AL. He was a lifetime member of Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, where he had served at one time as a trustee for six years. Harry married Joyce Hunt in April 1958 and together they raised four sons. He was president of Jose Motors and retired in 1987 after 33 years as an Augusta Auto Dealer. He sold Nash, Rambler, AMC, and Jeep brands. As a teenager, he earned his Eagle Scout with three palms and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. Later, he was a member of Masonic Bethlehem Lodge #35; a 32nd Degree Mason; a member of Kora Shrine Temple of Lewiston for over 50 years; and a past member of the Augusta Jaycees. He was a member and past president of the Augusta Kiwanis Club with over fifty years of perfect attendance. He recently received the Kiwanis Legion of Honor award for fifty-five years of membership. He was on the board of directors at Kennebec Savings Bank for 31 years and served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 1994 until his retirement in 2006. A granite stone was placed in the Garden of Hope by the bank commemorating his years of service. He liked bowling with the Kiwanis Alley Kats and was an avid stamp collector. He enjoyed making stained glass lamps and leaded glass items for his family, and doing difficult puzzles. He was an excellent carpenter, doing much of the finish work in his own home. He is survived by his wife Joyce and four sons: H. Thomas and wife Nilda of Kissimmee, FL; Bryan and wife Sara of West Monroe, LA; Stephen and wife Celina of Fort Mill, SC; and Michael of Bar Harbor, ME. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Kristen and Charles of Kissimmee, FL; B. David, Alexander, James, and Jonathan of West Monroe, LA; and McLean of Fort Mill, SC. He also leaves behind a sister, Lorilea Kaake and her husband Robert Kaake, of Venice, FL; brothers-in-law Ernest Hunt of Minot, ME, George Hunt of Augusta, and Courtney Prentiss of Knoxville, TN; and sister-in-law Marsha Giglio of Readfield. He was an example of unfaltering faith and quiet courage during his extended battle with cancer. The family would like to express their appreciation to the following for their thoughtful support during Harry’s illness: Dr. Donald Magioncalda and the extraordinary nurses and staff of Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care for their encouragement, support, and loving care; Mark Johnston for his many, many acts of kindness, for his much appreciated visits, and for his faithfulness to the blood bank - we know firsthand what a difference the blood bank makes in many people’s lives; and hospice nurse Wendy and the hospice staff for all their help in keeping Harry comfortable in his final days and for making it possible for him to remain at home. Special thanks also go to the employees of Kennebec Savings Bank, the Penney Memorial Church family, Dr. Michael Szela, and Harry’s cousin, Bill Sprague Sr. At the request of the deceased, there will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta on Tuesday October 18, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Harold Alfond Cancer Center C/O MaineGeneral, P.O. Box 828 Waterville, Maine 04903 or the Penney Memorial Building Fund 35 Grove Street, Augusta, ME 04330. Harry was a thoughtful, dependable, kind, caring, gentle man. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren more than anything else in the world and we loved him dearly, more dearly than words can ever express. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in him I will trust.” Psalm 91:2 (KJV)