Harold Lee Gwin Sr., 92

Harold Lee Gwin, Sr, 92 of North Beaver Twp passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, in Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver, Pa following a brief illness.

Mr. Gwin was born May 28, 1924 in North Beaver Twp, a son of Edwin Lee and Matilda H. Hopper Gwin.

He was a 1942 graduate of Mount Jackson High School and was known as something of a lead foot, earning the nickname “Barney Oldfield” after the American pioneer auto racer whose name was synonymous with speed. He was a veteran of WWII and entered the military in 1943, serving 2 years with the United States Army Air Force, much of that the at Rougham Air Base in England with the 94th Bomb Group in Bury St Edmunds, where he was the youngest member of his unit. It was in Bury that he met the love of his life, Esther M.E.”Betty” Ross whom he married in 1945. She and their infant daughter, Janice, joined him in the U.S. in 1946. While in the military, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, the distinguished Unit Badge, the European Theatre Service Medal with 6 Bronze Stars and the Victory Medal. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was a coal miner much of his life, retiring from Ambrosia Coal and Construction Co in 1988 after 38 years of service. He also worked at Vanport Stone and, with his brother, worked the family farm. The pair earned local note when they once purchased a surplus Army tank to use as a farm tractor. He loved to hunt mushrooms in the orchard behind his home and, following retirement, enjoyed walking for miles every day and driving his red Farmall Super C tractor. Late in life he enjoyed mowing several acres of grass around his house and riding in his golf cart. He was known as a man always willing to lend a hand when someone needed help. He was a life member of Moravia Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder for 30 years, a trustee for 6 years, Sunday School superintendent and a Sunday School teacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents ad an infant sister, Dorothy.

Besides his wife at home, he leaves two daughters, Janice (William) Volk and Cheryl (John) Geidner; two sons, Darrell and Harold Jr.(Dorothy); his brother Charles(Shirley); six Grandchildren, Ross, Meghan, Erin,Carley,Jared, and Jessica; and twelve great grandchildren, Lindsey, Garrett, Kendall, Kailee, Connor, Morgan, Finley, Reid, Jada, Max, Declan, and Ava.

Calling hours will be from 10-1 Saturday in Moravia Presbyterian Church with a service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be mad to Good Samaritan Hospice, 134 Marwood Rd, Cabot,Pa 16023.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Marshall Funeral Home, Wampum. Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com