Harry W. Takesian

Harry W. Takesian, son of the late Harry and Roberta Gynan Takesian passed away on Wednesday Dec. 4, 2024 after battling cancer. Harry was born on February 24, 1947 and resided in Groveland, MA until his marriage when he moved to Haverhill. In recent years, he has been a resident of Sandown, NH. 

The year was 1969; a man walked on the moon, there was music in Woodstock, and, on November 29, Harry met Geraldine Napolitano on a blind date at the Coast Guard Station in Magnolia, MA. Their love story began and on June 11, 1972, they were married. Harry and Gerry bought a house in Haverhill and raised their children there. They were married 42 years at the time of Gerry’s passing in 2014.

Harry had many fond memories of spending time with his grandmother, Beulah Gynan in the Riverside area of Haverhill during the summer and making friends at the nearby playground. Reconnecting with some of those “old” friends added joy to his final months. He also enjoyed outings to Plum Island and time on his Uncle Billy’s fishing boat, the Beulah B.

Growing up in Groveland across from the Pines Speedway developed an interest in auto racing which he kept his whole life. Harry also enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his Dad, and later swapping tales at the Plaistow Rod & Gun Club.

Harry graduated from Pentucket Regional High School in 1964. Later he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was an engineman aboard the USCG Cutter Humboldt spending time in the North Atlantic on iceberg patrols. After leaving the service, he became a locomotive mechanic for the Boston & Maine Railroad. He retired from the railroad in 2007 after 37 years of service.

Harry had been a member of John Greenleaf Whittier Chapter, Order of DeMolay and later joined the Masonic Fraternity. He was a member of Charles C. Dame AF & AM, the Scottish Rite Bodies and Aleppo Temple of Shriners. He was a Past Patron of Georgetown Chapter #176, Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Fidelity Chapter OES in Haverhill.

He leaves behind his devoted children, daughter Bernadette and husband, Richard Banke; son Joseph Takesian and his wife Lysa and son Harry M. Takesian and his wife Cara. Harry also leaves granddaughters Madison and Samantha Takesian, Ashley Turner, Arianna Erlbacher, Claire H. Banke and Jocelyn Takesian; is great-grandson, Wyatt Erlbacher; his brother David Takesian, sister Lynne Conklin and sister Ann Moriarty, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, Harry had requested donations to the Scholarship Fund of Georgetown Assembly #98, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, or, to the Scholarship Fund of Charles C. Dame Lodge. Donations may be mailed ℅ Robert Williams P.O. Box 280 Newton Junction, NH 03859-0280 for both funds. Thank You.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote: “For tho from out our bourne of time and place, The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot’s face, When I have crossed the bar”. Crossing the Bar 1889.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. at the Monument Square Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 334 Man Street, Haverhill, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at the funeral home at 12 P.M., which will include a Masonic Service by Charles C. Dame AF and AM. After the services, a Graveside Service will be held at Walnut Cemetery, Haverhill, where Harry’s ashes will be laid to eternal rest on Geraldine’s grave. They are now re-united for eternity.