Todd J. Harleman

Todd James Harleman, age 71, passed away unexpectedly but without suffering on February 4, 2023. At the time of his passing, he was doing what he loved most – preparing dinner for himself and his wife, Sharon Kennedy.

He was born on March 26, 1951 in Leighton, PA to Gladys and James Harleman. Todd and his two sisters, Dawn Campbell and Sherry Fritchman, grew up in a hardworking, devoted family. Todd’s lifelong love of carpentry and cooking can be attributed to his parents, and he was lucky enough to turn these passions into careers at various points in his life.

Todd attended Bloomsburg University in the late 1960s before cutting his studies short to join the Naval Reserves in 1970. His travels in the Navy took him to lands near and far, including operations in the middle east on the USS Boulder LST (Landing Ship Tank). He spent his time at sea as a radarman watching over the oceans of the world.

Todd married his college sweetheart, Marcia Parzick, in 1973, and returned stateside in 1976, where he was stationed at Little Creek in Virginia Beach, VA. Upon returning home, Todd completed his degree, and in December 1978, welcomed his only child, Erin Nicole Harleman. He was a proud father and watching Erin grow was a great joy for him.

Todd’s career began in the field of construction and includes extensive expertise and knowledge in the building industry—from flooring to roofing, in sales, management, manufacturing, and eventually construction software. Todd traveled throughout the US and internationally to accommodate the demands of the job.

When work took him to Schaumburg, Illinois, in 1984, he became smitten with a friendly neighbor and American Airlines flight attendant, Sharon Kennedy. Over the next 39 years, Todd and Sharon traveled and moved for work and fun, making many friends for life along the way. Although their jobs often took them in separate directions, they always relished returning home to each other and sharing stories of their adventures, and one of Todd’s delicious home cooked meals. After many, many years of being asked ‘so, when are you getting married?’ to the joy of their friends and family, Sharon and Todd finally wed in 2012.

Todd and Sharon always kept up with Erin’s academic and professional pursuits, and were thrilled to welcome Christopher Michael Farrell into their family when the two wed in December 2011. Todd was over the moon when his two granddaughters were born – Greta Simone Farrell (February 2016) and Camille (Millie) Maxine Farrell (November 2017). Todd, aka ‘Pappy’, enjoyed chaotic phone calls with Greta and Millie and everyone was ecstatic to be reunited at Erin and Chris’s home in Wayland, MA in November 2022 after three long years apart.

Forever an entrepreneur at heart, Todd started and owned a restaurant in Jacksonville, FL—a café named after his daughter, Nicole’s on the River—and later a painting business in Sarasota, FL—Paint Pros. During his time in Naples, Florida, Todd was invited to open three different assisted living communities as Director of Facilities Maintenance. He loved the people he came to know in these communities, and they loved him back. Todd always knew how to bring the fun to any situation. At one of the assisted living facilities, Todd started a weekly ‘mystery outing’ where excited residents would load into the van and Todd would cruise the streets of Naples, arriving at an undisclosed location. Whether it was the mall or an ice cream outing, the thrill never got old.

It's hard to describe in words how Todd always seemed larger than life – standing 6’7 certainly helped – but it was his silly and good-natured personality, his smile, and his deep laugh that charmed everyone almost instantly. Todd had the rare gift of making everyone around him feel like they were the best of friends. He absolutely loved to cook for everyone – not just his friends and family, but also his church community and anyone else who would accept his offerings. If he had a love language, it was serving others.

Todd leaves behind an enormous following of family, friends, and fans. Todd will be remembered as honest and caring, fun to be around, and a passionate patriot whose image conjures up everyone’s favorite big teddy bear.

Todd is survived by his wife, Sharon Kennedy; his sisters, Dawn Campbell and Sherry Fritchman, and Sherry’s husband, Henry Fritchman; his daughter, Erin Harleman, and son-in-law, Christopher Farrell, and their two amazing daughters, Greta and Millie Farrell; his niece Heidi Litsey; his nephews Edward Campbell, Steven and Joel Fritchman, and their families.

A celebration of life for Todd will be held Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Hodges Funeral Home At Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Ave N, Naples, Florida 34108.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Todd's memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers, https://t2t.org/donate/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Harleman family.