In Memory of Harold M. Wheeler Sr.

Obituary

Harold M. Wheeler Sr., 91, of New Hartford, died peacefully on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Sitrin Health Care Center surrounded by his loving family.

Harold was born in Cranston Rhode Island on July 9th, 1932, the son of the late Arthur and Mary Wheeler. He married Dorothy Johnson of Cranston on July 30th, 1948, and they remained married for over 75 years.

Harold began his career in 1951 as a route driver with the Canteen Corporation. He became a salesman in 1957, and was honored three years later as the first ever Canteen Salesman of the Year. In 1962, he became area manager of Canteen in Pittsburgh before becoming General Manager of Canteen Syracuse in 1963. He would go on to purchase his own Canteen franchise in Utica, NY in 1974, which he ran until his retirement in 2011.

Harold was the quintessential “people person” who always had time for friends and family. He was a member and served on the boards of several local organizations, including the Masons, the Shriners, The Royal Order of Jesters, the ARC of Oneida County, the American Red Cross, NYSAVA and the Utica YMCA. He was also a member of the Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in New Hartford, where he served on the Vestry for many years.

During his free time, Harold loved being around his grandchildren and family, interacting with animals of all kinds, especially his beloved Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, bird watching, boating, taking walks in his South Woods neighborhood, and spending time at his home on Lake Willoughby in Vermont.

He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy Wheeler; his children, Cathleen Little of Epping, New Hampshire, Christine Rasi (Dominick) of New Hartford, Harold Wheeler Jr. (Alma) of Weslaco, Texas, and Keith Wheeler (Kathryn Silvestri) of New Hartford; grandchildren, Melissa Duxbury, MD, (Nathan Blow, PhD) of Litchfield NH, Jennifer Monescalchi, PhD, (Paul) of New Hartford, Thomas Duxbury Jr., DPT, (Kayla) of Epping, NH, Cheryl Parinella (Daiman) of Jamestown, NY, Crystal Wheeler-Ogale of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Daniel Wheeler (Magdalena) of New Hartford and Jonathan Wheeler of New Hartford; great grandchildren, Ryan, Alyce, Lauren, Ally, CeCe, Ava, Tommy, Landon, Reese, Owen, Evan and Elliana; his nephew Neil Rainey; sisters in-laws, Ellen Wheeler and Alice Johnson, as well as several other nieces, nephews, and extended family. Also, his Lake Willoughby camp family of Gail and Scott Spears and their children Derek, Deven and Sarah held a special place in his heart.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 2:00pm-5:00pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. The funeral service will be held privately and at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Harold’s honor to Spring Farm CARES

Online messages may be left at: www.fwefh.com