Harry E. Booth

PLAINFIELD, CT. - Harry Edward Booth 99, of Griswold, CT died at the Villa Maria Nursing Home, Plainfield, Connecticut on Monday, March 12, 2007 following years of declining health. When his death occurred, he was 3 months and 5 days shy of his 100th birthday.Mr. Booth was born in Malden, Massachusetts, June 16, 1907, the son John Edward and Hattie (Manser) Booth. He was the nephew of Judge Harry Manser. Mr. Booth graduated from Hebron Academy in the class of 1929, and the University of Maine in the class of 1933. He was a track star at both schools setting records in the one mile run . He also set records in cross country track and was a member of the snowshoe team.He married the former Lenora Pooler in l934. She died in 1999. He then left Maine in early 2000 to be near his daughter. He lived at Windham Falls Estates in Groton after coming to Connecticut.Mr. Booth was a forester working on Mt. Katahdin before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps in Jefferson, Maine and served there until it closed. He worked in the Portland Shipyard during WWII. At the end of the war he worked at the Auburn Post Office leaving there in 1947 to work at the Mount Auburn Cemetery. He became the Superintendent in 1950. While there, he became well-known for his ability to know exactly where every lot was located, who was buried there and to help those seeking information about their families. He retired from Mount Auburn Cemetery in 1997 at the age of 90 after a 50 year career.He and Mrs. Booth then lived in the former Penley home at 488 Turner Street, Auburn, Maine until Mrs. Booth?s death.He is survived by his daughter, Marjorie Booth Penley and her husband Paul of Griswold, Connecticut. Also, three grandchildren, Scott Penley and his wife Imelda and their children Jonathan and Jordan of Stonington, Connecticut, and Sgt. Lauren Penley, US Army, stationed in Afghanistan; David Penley and wife Elizabeth and their daughter, Allison of Woodinville, Washington; and Lisa Penley Currier and her husband Ward and their children Elizabeth and Dana of Griswold, Connecticut. Also, his sister Anna O'Haire of Buxton, Maine, and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by two sisters, Ruth and Nora, and a brother, Edward Harry.BOOTH died in Plainfield, CT., March 12, 2007, Mr. Harry E. Booth, 99, formerly of Auburn. A Memorial Service honoring the life of Harry E. Booth will be held SATURDAY 2:00PM; March 24th from the Memorial Chapel of Dillingham & Son with Chaplain Kathleen O'Wril presiding. A Spring burial will be at Mt. Auburn Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations in Harry's memory may be made to Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls PO Box 65 New Gloucester, ME 04260. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com. Arrangements by the family owned DILLINGHAM & SON MEMORIAL CHAPEL & TRIBUTE CENTER 62 Spring St., Auburn, 784-6449