Harold Webber, 96

WARWICK, R.I. – Harold S. Webber died Dec. 27, 2020, at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Lorraine (Cramer) Webber of Warwick for 75 years; the devoted father of David Webber and his wife, Karen Jenkins, of Dobbs Ferry, New York; and Jeffrey Webber of Ardsley-on-Hudson, New York; the dear brother of Frances Weiss of Warwick, Marlene Fink of La Mirada, California, Brenda Grosch of Portland, Oregon, and the late Marshall, Arnold and Robert Webber, and the loving grandfather of Althea Webber, and her husband, Michael Gruen, and Jeremy Webber, and his wife, Jean Bingham.  He had 16 nieces and nephews.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Meyer and Rachel (Rubin) Webber, he was a lifelong Rhode Island resident.  He helped support his younger brothers and sisters during the Great Depression, joined the Navy on his 18th birthday, served in nearly every theater of World War II and returned home to marry his childhood sweetheart and raise a family that gave him constant pleasure and pride.  He worked much of his life in the costume jewelry industry, including many years as general manager of Foster Jewelry Co., before retiring over 30 years ago.  He and his wife traveled after retirement, but his greatest pleasure remained the quiet enjoyment of his home and garden. He was a mainstay and a source of sage advice, strength and courage for his large family his entire life; a role model of honesty, kindness and honorable behavior.

Harold listened more than he spoke and, when he did, liked to tell stories in which he was more often than not a large part of the joke.  He enjoyed reading, crosswords, his wife’s excellent cooking, the vicissitudes of the Red Sox and the seeming certainties of the Patriots.  His prevailing manner was mild, making the occasional tale of youthful hardship and adventure all the more surprising.  Nonetheless, he never stopped marveling over his children’s and, later, his grandchildren’s travels and achievements.  He dispensed his love unconditionally, and, most of all, he adored and cherished his wife.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.