Obituary of Harold Robert Flecker

Harold R. Flecker     8/14/32  -  4/5/19

“An ordinary man with an extraordinary life“

Our Father, Husband, Grandfather, Neighbor, Honorably discharged Army Veteran Corporal Rank, Harold Robert Flecker Sr. was born into this world August 14,1932 to Arthur and Esther Flecker. He was the youngest of three boys: brothers’ Warren, Ronald, and himself, a depression era baby. His father was born 1900 and Arthur’s age went with the years; passing in 1976 at the age of 76. Warren born 1920, a World War Two Veteran, was 12 years older than Harold and passed 1980. Ronald, the middle son, was born 1928 and passed 1983. A cousin Rose Giroux aka Bobbi born 1931 and passed in 2009 joined the Flecker household in the early years and was considered a sister to them all. Harold miraculously survived being hit by an automobile on Jamaica Avenue in Queens at age 4 with siblings thinking he had passed. Warren and Ronald did not finish high school. When Harold graduated high school his family was so astonished by the feat, they placed him high in rank to those of acknowledged scholars. As Harold was completing his stint in the United States Army, he married Jean R. Ecke in 1953. It was said that the marriage fit like a hand in the glove being Jean’s maiden name Ecke was the root name in Flecker!  What followed was nothing short of magical and a lifetime memories. The first of five children, Harold Junior, was born 1956 followed by William, Robert, Paul, and daughter Patricia, the “caboose” of the family, born 1966. Within this 10 year child rearing period, Harold and Jean acquired their first home, a three floor, seven bedroom house with two live-in tenants Roy and May to help subsidize their purchase. Additionally, with motivation and determination, Harold attended night school at Pace University with a wife, mortgage, and children in tow attaining his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Accounting in the Class of ’62. The influence of family love and support coupled with the helpful guidance from Uncle Charlie Van de Walle and cousin Worth Mickle [both Corporate Accountants] began to take its deep rooted presence in our beloved Flecker Family culture. Harold and wife Jean nurtured their five children’s growth into five successful marriages, all owning homes, 13 grandchildren [11 college graduates, two in progress], and two great grandchildren.  He became a Corporate Executive with US Steel and later, Bankers Trust during his illustrious and dedicated career before retiring at 58. As he looked backed on his humble and highly responsible family life, it often amazed him as to how he achieved so many family milestones and wonderful lifelong friendships. From our first family vacation at Browns Cabins in Orient Point Long Island singing “Sons of God”; multiple summer vacations at Baker’s Camp on Lake Sabago NY [a Bankers Trust/US Trust Family Retreat]; camping adventures with the Presentation B.V.M. Parish Mommas’ & Poppas’ formulated by his kids’ parents; family cruises, to building a second home log cabin in the Poconos for a 25 year duration; was simply extraordinary. In conjunction with these amazing feats, he accumulated many crumbs of wisdom along his life’s path that he never hesitated to share to his fledgling family such as: Respect is paramount; never divorce or sue, treat those as you would like to be treated, always be aware your actions represent our Family Values; a dollar is your best friend; frugality is a good discipline; priorities in life are Family, Job, and everything else; and of course, there are two ways to do something - “my way and the wrong way” [fair to say this comment was a more risk adverse perspective than selfish intent].

Our Flecker Family with heavy heart mourns the loss of our Family Patriarch Harold Robert Flecker Sr. but basks in all of his Glory and Legacy.

Wife: Jean R Flecker, Married 65 Years
Children: Harold Jr. [Jeanne], William [Carol], Robert [Donna], Paul [Jeanmarie], and Patricia [ Billy]
Grandchildren: Robert [Melinda], Brittany, Christopher, Melissa [Joe], Tara [Patrick], Kevin, Alexander, Jillian, Michael,
Brian, Samantha, Jenna, and Jonathan
Great Grandchildren:  Max and Dylan