Obituary
In Memory of John Charles "Chuck" Harmon, 1942 - 2019
Syracuse Post Standard, February 13, 2019
After 76 years of a wonderful life, father, friend and mentor John Charles Harmon, aka Chuck Harmon, of Syracuse died surrounded by love on February 11, 2019.
Born on June 16, 1942 in Braddock, Pennsylvania to Sherman A. Harmon and Josephine P. Harmon, Chuck grew up in Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City before his family settled in Philadelphia.
At the age of 8, he was admitted into the renowned William Penn Charter School on a scholarship where he learned, played, and exceled in football, baseball, and basketball.
Chuck attended Syracuse University on a football scholarship. During this time, he fell in love with Syracuse, its people, and its abundant outdoor life. Upon graduation, he played semi-professional football for the AFL on the team now known as the Atlanta Falcons.
Shortly after his football career, he took a job at Hillbrook Detention Facility as a Youth Counselor where he stayed for 40 years before retiring as the Superintendent of Hillbrook.
After retiring, he took a job as an Early Intervention Mentor for first- and second-graders at Edward Smith School. Chuck's life was full, and hobbies included flying, fishing, golfing, hunting, sailing, skiing, motocross, model airplanes, boating, camping, cooking, baking, gardening, canning, music, films and theatre, photography, scuba diving, snowmobiling, and much more. He was also a lover of fine whiskey and a cigar aficionado.
Some organizations he was involved with include the Juvenile Detention Association of New York State, Labrador Mountain Ski Club, The Stockbridge Valley Flying Club, The Elbridge Rod and Gun Club, Syracuse University Black Alumni, and the New York State Division for Youth. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the William Penn Charter Athletic Honor Society.
He is survived by former wives Donna Crichton and Michalle Harmon, co-parent Detria Watson, daughters Anneliese Harmon and Chyleigh Harmon, sister Josephine Harmon Williams, brother Allen Sherman Harmon, Kurtria Hunter, a host of nieces and nephews, godchildren, other relatives, and his beloved pets Jabba and Ziva.
A Celebration of Life organized by his daughters and his best friend of 60 years Sid Oglesby, who misses him dearly, will take place at 6pm, with visiting hours from 4-6pm on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Burns Garfield Funeral Home Inc., 3175 East Genesee St, Syracuse New York 13224.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Chuck's love of animals, contributions in his name may be sent to Humane CNY, a no-kill animal shelter.
Chuck will be missed, but chose a rare beautiful sunny day with a high ceiling and clear visibility, perfect conditions for his final flight to heaven. Or maybe to "the other place," as he joked with his signature laugh. |
