Gard Howard O'Harra

Gard died peacefully in his sleep early Friday morning, May 5th, following a brief battle with the aftereffects of a fall.

He was predeceased by his wife Anne, parents Gard and Beatrice and two sisters, Carol and Rae. He is survived by three children, Dawn, Gard and Karen, her spouse Glen Aquino, their son Gard Aquino and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

During his childhood years, Gard attended the Wooddale one-room schoolhouse and later attended East Stroudsburg High School. After completing his undergraduate degree at East Stroudsburg University, he gained a master’s degree at Columbia and completed Course work for an education doctorate degree at Rutgers University.

During the Korean War era, he served an

enlistment in the Army medical training Corp; he spent part of his time supporting early atomic bomb testing in Nevada.

Gard also joined the freemasons, rising to the 32nd degree.

After 10 years in teaching, he became the vice principal of central Junior high school in Parsippany, NJ where he served until, he retired in 1990.

He was a well-rounded man with advanced degrees. who remained attached to his childhood Wooddale roots. He learned early how to hunt and fish with his bare hands. Being raised on a farm, his garden was more than a hobby, supplying everything from tomatoes to beans to the whole family, where a typical person might spend their Saturday watching football, he would be splitting firewood or butchering Venison

There is always someone in every extended family who is the glue that holds the whole Clan together. He has looked like John Wayne but the way may to best understand him is to compare him to the benevolent, impish manager "Feziwhig" of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"

So many people have memories of his house being filled with so much joy and it's the man who made the place joyful. He hasted so many gatherings and put so much work into good food and good Company and it all seemed to come so easily to him. He wasn't trying to be a connoisseur or aspiring chef, but he was instead someone who simply took joy in seeing everybody else enjoying themselves. He was the kind of person who would cook three entrees instead. of one just to make sure everyone had something they liked.

In his personal life, as a vice principal he was astute and approachable in her relationship with his kids. He wasn't shy about disciplining kids, but he wasn't stern or imperious.

In his relationship with his wife, he was loving and loyal. In her ten-year struggle with Alzheimer’s, he single handedly cared for her and even in her last days in a nursing home, his day revolved around daily visits and meals.

For less fortunate people who crossed his path, he would give them work and around his house so they could earn money with dignity rather than giving them charity. He was also a generous contributor to the Salvation army.

The bittersweet thing about his dying is the magnitude of the memories he created. Gard's passing leaves a gaping hole that no one will ever really be able to fill.

There will be a viewing at Bensing-Thomas Funeral Home 401 North 5th Street, Stroudsburg on Saturday, May 13th at !2:00 Noon with a viewing from 11:00am until the time of service with Pastor Lynne Lesoine officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to either, Wooddale United Methodist Church, 100 Barren Road, East Stroudsburg PA 18302, or to the East Stroudsburg Salvation Army, 226 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg PA 18301