ALBANY – Harold Walter Ragotzkie 91, died Thursday, March 6, 2014 at home. Harold was born in Albany, New York and resided in Guilderland NY for 60+ years. Harold attended Phillip Schuyler high school, after high school he entered the Army during WWII and served gallantly earning Two Purple Hearts with the 325th Combat Engineer Division. He was a Plumber with Local 7 of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union of Albany, NY and worked on many of the large projects including the building of SUNY Albany Campus and the Empire State Plaza. Harold was also a member with the Albany Elks. He retired at age 62 and spent his retirement years traveling and spending time with his wife, Thelma, daughter Karen and grandchildren. In 2007 Harold was honored with the Capital District Senior Issues Forum 10th Senior Lifetime Achievement Award.
Harold is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mrs. Thelma Ragotzkie. He is also survived by his daughter Karen Lee Moran & her husband Kevin Moran of Voorheesville, NY. Also survived by two granddaughters, Heather Lee Ruter and her husband Zac Ruter of Colonie, and Brooke Allison Leavitt of Valatie, NY, and one great grandchild, Landon Allen Langley of Colonie, NY.
Funeral services will be held at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Thursday morning March 13th at 10:00 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Wednesday March 12th from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Colonie, NY in the spring. Date to be announced. Those who wish may make memorial contributions may do so to The Community Hospice of Albany County. To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Karen neil
March 9, 2014 at 1:34 pmRob and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. You have another angel in heaven watching over you. Your dad had a wonderful life and you have many great memories!
Rosemary Bolz
March 10, 2014 at 9:34 amDearest Karen,
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your dear Father. I know how much he meant to you. Take consolation in knowing that you were all that a wonderful daughter could be.
The obituary is a beautiful one and the picture captures the spirit of the charning man that I had the honor of knowing.
I hope to see you on Wednesday, weather permitting!
All my love, “Auntie” Rosemary
Marilyn Dyer
March 11, 2014 at 8:12 amDear Karen, Thelma, Heather and Brooke,
I was so sorry to hear of Harold’s passing. What a long and wonderful life he had surrounded by all his beautiful girls. I know you all have wonderful memories of your life together and that you will miss him very much. I hope his last days were peaceful ones.
I’m sorry I will not be able to make the services. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
With much love and fond memories of our days together.
Marilyn
Florence Kokoruda
March 12, 2014 at 5:18 amThe Kokoruda family sends there very sincere condolence to the family of Harold he was a beautiful person
Beth Liotta
March 12, 2014 at 9:53 amThelma, Karen and family: My heart goes out to you during this time of sadness and loss for a truly wonderful man—–Harold was a good and kind man; and a wonderful neighbor. He was blessed to have a good life and loving family; may the memories of him keep you smiling and comforted! Beth
Charlotte Hasselbarth
March 17, 2014 at 6:06 amKaren and Mrs. Ragotzkie, I was away last week and missed being able to express my sympathy in person. I have only wonderful memories of Mr. Ragotzkie. Love, Charlotte