In the comfort of his home, in his favorite easy chair, death came peacefully on August 1, 2007. His battle with lung cancer ended. Through the loving care of hospice, his family and his wonderful family of friends at Pine Tree Villas in Morgan Hill, his wish to remain independent and content at home was fulfilled. Always helpful to others, the love returned was unending.
Harold was born April 14, 1926 in New Matamoras, Ohio, to Sarah and Samuel Pool. As a child with his four siblings he grew up on Belle Ridge and at the age of 16 moved with his family to Canton, Ohio. He proudly served in the Army with the 10th Mountain Division and the 82nd Air borne Division. In 1948, he married Luella Hickman Cairns, the love of his life, and became a dedicated father to Charlene. They moved to San Jose, California in 1956, bought a new house, made new friends and worked as a machinist for IBM until retirement in 1988. Life was good. They also enjoyed living at CalHawaiian Mobile Park and the Villages before settling in at Pine Tree Villas in 1992. Enjoyment was found in playing cards, planning trips for the Aloha Bus Goers, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. He was the number one caregiver for his wife Luella when her health was declining; they were married 55 years. She passed away in 2004.
He is survived by daughter and son in-law, Charlene and Leo Ott of Los Altos, grandchildren; Edward Ott and wife Michelle of Los Altos and Cathy Mueller and husband Tim of Angels Camp and three great grandchildren; Emily, Jonathan and Sarah Ott, all of who gave him so much joy. He is also survived by his sisters and a brother in Ohio; Gladys Hackathorn, Helen Kirkbride, Denzel Pool, and Mary Louise Wiltshire, and their families.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, August 24, 2007, at the Morgan Hill Community Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. Donations may be made in Harold’s memory to: Hospice of the Valley, 4850 Union Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124.
