Obituary of Harold Hawkey

Harold W. Hawkey died peacefully on June 10, 2011 in Brookville, Long Island. Harold was 89 years old. He was born on July 8, 1921 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter O. Hawkey of Sheridan, Wyoming. Harold attended elementary and high school in the Sheridan area. He was graduated from Albion College and then was a teacher in a one-room school house in rural Montana from 1942 to 1943. Harold entered the Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. He survived the sinking of his ship by a Japanese torpedo and later was assigned to Admiral Halsey’s staff. Following the war, he earned his bachelor-of-arts degree at the University of Virginia (class of 1950). He then worked for United Fruit in Honduras for a short while and subsequently moved to New York City to work for the Mobil Oil Company. He married Joan Harris (of Brookville, Long Island) in 1958. In 1960 Harold began working for Texaco in foreign sales. They then spent the next eight years living in locations such as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Monrovia, Liberia; Kingston, Jamaica; and Christianstead, St. Croix before returning to Brookville, Long Island in 1968 with their two young children. During his remaining years with Texaco, Harold oversaw many of Texaco’s public relations programs including the company’s relationships with the Metropolitan Opera, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, and other prominent artists of the time. Harold had many interests, but none as great as his love of music of all genres. He was an enthusiastic theater-goer and avid opera buff. In addition Harold spent many weekend hours gardening his prized roses and tomatoes. He and Joan also shared a passion for travel. He was the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Allen Williams of Sheridan, Wyoming. He is survived by the late Joan Harris Hawkey; his children Harold W. Hawkey, Jr (Jackie) and Elizabeth Hawkey; and his two grandchildren, Sarah and Grace Hawkey. In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.ALZ.org). A funeral service will be held at St. John’s of Lattingtown, Friday, June 17th at 11am.