Leon S. "Lee" Harding, of Chazy, N.Y.,
passed away on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, at the UVM CVPH Medical Center with his
family by his side, one day shy of his 82nd birthday. He was born in Elizabeth,
N.J., on Nov. 26, 1934, the son of Leon S. Harding Sr. and Nancy (Pomeroy)
Harding.
After spending a year at Union College in Albany, Lee received an appointment
to the U.S. Naval Academy and became a proud member of the class of 1956.
During his four years at Annapolis, he majored in engineering and played
battalion football. Known for his sense of humor and easy-going nature, he made
many lifelong friends amongst his fellow midshipmen.
Lee met Carolyn E. Kelly in September of 1955, when she came to the Academy for
a blind date, and he was immediately smitten. Less than a year later, on June
30, 1956, he and Carolyn were married in Baltimore, Md. They recently
celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Lee worked in engineering,
insurance, and sales before starting his most satisfying career with the NY
State Lottery, from which he retired in 2008. More than any career
accomplishments, however, Lee was most proud of his long and happy marriage to
Carolyn and the beautiful family life they created with their five children. He
was a doting "Bigfoot" to 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren
(and counting). Lee is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his sister, Nancy
"Toni" Pomeroy (Harding) Gordon and her husband Howard R., of Lake
Placid, N.Y.; their children: John "Chris" Harding and his wife Lisa
M., of Liverpool, N.Y., Laura Harding Pearl and her husband Timothy of Dover,
N.H., Thomas Maxwell Harding and his wife Lisa B. of Waterford, N.Y., Elizabeth
Harding Church and her husband Thomas of Cadyville, N.Y., Catherine
"Rini" Harding Green and her husband Jeffrey L. of Chazy, N.Y.; and
several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 2, at the Brown
Funeral Home in Plattsburgh, N.Y. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated
at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial
will be at 2 p.m. in Holy Name Cemetery in Au Sable Forks, N.Y. In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Church or the
FitzPatrick Cancer Center.
