OXFORD – Harold W. McKenzie, of Oxford, passed away suddenly on Friday evening April 20, 2012.
He was born July 1, 1927 in North Hornell, the son of Harold A. McKenzie and Marion F. Hawkes. He was educated in Oxford Academy and Central School. During World War II, he served as a Naval Intelligence Officer in the South Pacific, primarily on the island of Guam. Upon discharge he entered Syracuse University, where he graduated in 1951 with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and Finance. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity while at Syracuse. He was engaged as a cost accountant with Norwich Mills Inc. until 1957 when he entered the insurance business in Oxford, where he owned his own business for a period of 40 years. He enjoyed singing and cooking and participated in many events involving both. He cooked many great meals for his family and friends over the years and particularly enjoyed singing the grace at mealtime.
He is survived by his son, Harold A McKenzie II, of Oxford, daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Kevin Rose of Latham, Margaret and Constantine Papanastassiou of Stow, Mass. and the mother of his children, Catherine McKenzie of Oxford. Also five grandchildren, Eileen Rose O’Connor of Sand Lake, and Collin Rose of Latham, and Katrina, Alexander, and Nicholas Papanastassiou, of Stow, Mass., and three great grandchildren, Evan, Jack, and Kate O’Connor of Sand Lake. He is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, David and Helen McKenzie of Barberville, Kentucky, and Daryl and Shirley McKenzie of Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, and one sister Verlie Anne Skillman of Silver Springs, Maryland.
Harold was active in the Oxford Rotary Club, Norwich Service Club of the Norwich Elks, Lost Pond Club of Lake Ludlow, Chenango Memorial Hospital Board of Directors Secretary, Oxford Industrial Development Corporation Secretary, Chenango County Insurance Agents Association President, Oxford Methodist Church Board of Directors President, Sherburne Community Chorus, Choral Ridge Presbyterian Choir of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Binghamton Downtown Singers Chorus, Binghamton University Chorus, and the Voices of Tabernacle in Sherburne.
A memorial service for Harold will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at The United Church of Oxford. There will be a private family burial in the Riverview Cemetery of Oxford. All are invited to a buffet at Fred’s Inn immediately following the memorial service.
Donations may be made in his name to Preston Manor, 1150 County Rd. 4, Oxford, NY 13830 or to the Chenango County Council of the Arts, 27 West Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.