Harold Stein, 93

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WARWICK – Harold Stein died June 19. He was the husband of June M. (Shore).

Born in Providence, Nov. 15, 1919, he was the son of the late Louis and late Anna (Morein) Stein.

Living through the Depression in Providence, he worked in any capacity from childhood on and sacrificed to help provide for his parents and his elder sister, the late Ida; his elder brother, the late Gilbert and his younger sister, the late Rhoda.

A wrestler at Hope High School, he graduated in 1937. He worked at Brown & Sharpe before enlisting in the Rhode Island National Guard in the 243rd Coastal Artillery. He was discharged in October 1941. Upon the attack at Pearl Harbor, he immediately enlisted in the Army Air Force. He entered Officer Candidate School in Miami Beach, Fla., with Clark Gable and Hank Greenberg.

Serving in Africa from 1943 onward, he participated in the transport of paratroopers for the invasions of Sicily and Italy, and directed the movement of vital supplies “Over the Hump” through 1945.  Rising to the rank of First Lieutenant, he became commanding officer at one base.  Through three bouts of malaria and a severe neck injury, he always remained deeply devoted to his country.

He briefly worked in the Shore and Saltzman in-law families’ businesses, and then owned a spa in Providence; he remained active in the Air Force Reserves until 1950.  He joined John Hancock Life Insurance Company as an agent.

He was involved with the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department, and active in Democratic local and state politics; he was a lifelong member of the American Legion.

He was the father of three sons, late David A., Paul M., and Robert G.

After retiring from John Hancock after 30 years, he became a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Later, he and his wife traveled through North America in their Winnebago, before settling in Warwick and in Palm Desert, Calif.

As the Stein family patriarch, he leaves his wife of nearly 68 years, two sons, daughters-in-law Denise and Kathy, grandchildren Michael J., David S., Zachary D., and Cameron D. Stein.

Contributions may be made to organizations that benefit military veterans and current members of the military.