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This Tribute was provided by Harold Jr.
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Harold M. Banneman was born on July 11, 1916, in White Plains, NY. During his high school years, he played varsity baseball and won the pitching trophy in his senior year. After graduating from White Plains High School, Harold was employed, along with his brother, Samuel, by County Landscaping where he met his future wife, Elizabeth (nee Ryan). They were married in 1940.
In 1941, Harold was drafted into the US Army and just before his orders took him overseas, he returned home in time for the birth of his first son, Harold M., Jr., in 1942.
During WWII, Harold participated in the D-Day invasion as a platoon leader and took part in the liberation of Paris, displaying exceptional bravery in action for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross.
Harold returned home in 1945 and went back to work for County Landscaping. In 1947, a second son, Richard T., was born and 6 years later, in 1953, a daughter, Charlotte E., was born.
During the late 1950's, Harold and Elizabeth began their long association with the Community Chest of White Plains (now known as Westchester United Way) where they were involved with the organization's fundraising efforts for many years. At the time of his death, Harold was a member of the allocations committee.
In 1960, Harold, in partnership with his brother, Samuel, purchased County Landscaping and changed the name to County Nursery and Landscapers, Inc. which is still in operation managed by his son, Harold, Jr., and Samuel's son, Eric. The company has sponsored a Little League baseball team, The Pirates. for the past thirty years.
Harold, Jr., married Barbara Carter in 1963 and Harold's first grandson, Harold M. III (Hank), was born in 1966. A granddaughter, Jennifer, was born in 1968.
In 1972, Richard married Anne Kroll and presented Harold with three more grandchildren - Michael, born 1975, Ryan, born 1978 and Margaret (Megs), born 1980.
Harold's daughter, Charlotte, married John Hennessey in 1980. Twin granddaughters for Harold, Caroline and Jessica, were born in 1985, and a grandson, Andrew, was born in 1989. Harold's fifth granddaughter, Brooke, born in 1994, was adopted in 1995.
At the time of his death, Harold was beloved Pop-pop to nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren - Cynthia, born 1992 to Jennifer and husband James, and Harold M. IV (Harry) to Hank and his wife, Alicia.
Fishing was Harold's lifelong passion. Home for many summers was Lake St. Catherine in Poultney, Vermont, where he spent many happy days teaching his grandkids how to catch 'the big one' and relaxing with family and friends.
Everyone remembers Harold as one of the good guys with a great sense of humor, generous and kind. He will be missed. |
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| Now 11 years old, Ranger was Harold's constant companion and, as Harold said, he was an exceptional listener on those long walks together. |
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