Obituary of Harold J. Wusterbarth

Harold J. Wusterbarth, 95, passed away on December 2nd at home with his family. Born in Meriden, CT in 1920, Harold moved to Schenectady in 1940 after graduating from Bentley College. In June 1943, he married Junice DeVoe, who he met while working at General Electric. On the evening of their wedding, they boarded a train to Chicago and then on to Denver, Colorado. The morning they arrived in Denver, he reported for duty at Camp Hale, joining the 87th Regiment, Company 1 of the 10th Mountain Division. After rigorous training, Harold went to Kiska, Alaska (1943) and Italy (1945). At Mount Belvedere, the highest of the Apennine Mountains in northern Italy, he was involved in the February 18, 1945 nighttime operation to secure Riva Ridge, which prevented the Germans from surveying US troops below. As 1st Lieutenant Combat Platoon Leader, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained after stepping on a German Schu mine. In 1947, after two years of surgeries and recovery, Harold returned to work at GE. During his 41 year career there he was Manager of the General Accounting department and a Financial Analyst for the Apparatus Sales and Service Shops. One of Harold's greatest joys and proudest accomplishments is the family he and Junice created, nurtured and watched grow. At the time of his death it includes Junice, his "Sweetie" of 72 years; their four children Niles (deceased) and Lois Wusterbarth of Lacey, WA; Mark and Fran Wusterbarth of Niskayuna; Mike and Sue Frisoni of Niskayuna; Doug Wusterbarth and his partner John Morse of Schenectady; Their eight grandchildren Kevin Wusterbarth of San Pedro, CA; Robert and Shelley (Frisoni) Armstrong of Greensburg, PA; Brian and Amy (Wusterbarth) Egan of Silver Spring, MD; James and Susie Wusterbarth of Nunda, NY; Meg Frisoni of Schenectady; Pete and Cindy Frisoni of Scotia; Luis and Julie (Wusterbarth) Ontaneda of Rye, NY and Gary and Stephanie Wusterbarth of Niskayuna; and their eleven great- grandchildren Sally, Niles and Damon Egan; Tristan and Brycon Seal; Olympia and Roark Frisoni; Luke and Callie Ontaneda and Claire and Ryan Wusterbarth. Harold's commitment to his community is reflected in his decades of volunteer work and community service. He was a member of the Schenectady School Board of Education; a Trustee for the Troy Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church; a Trustee and Chairman of the Board for the Schenectady County Public Library; and Chairman of the North Woodlawn Neighborhood Association. A memorial service to celebrate Harold's life will be held on Saturday, December 26, at 10:00am at First United Methodist Church in Schenectady. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the First United Methodist Church; 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305.