Harry R. Stephenson

Harry Russell Stephenson, 84, of Palm Bay, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, August 15, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Port Perry, Ontario, Canada on December 3, 1926 to Harry and Bessie Stephenson.

He grew up and lived in Toms River, New Jersey, moving to Tuckerton, NJ in 1978 and subsequently to Florida in 1995. He married Wilma Irons on December 20, 1946 and had 3 children, Bonnie, Tom and Don.

Harry served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as an Airplane Engine Mechanic.

Harry owned his own gas station and trucking business in Toms River, NJ. He loved stock car racing with his twin sons. He also enjoyed camping, wood working, especially carving wooden ducks and creating stained glass. He was a Ham operator and advanced to Extra status with his amateur radio license in 1996. He served as a National Volunteer Examiner Coordinator for Ham operators.

He is survived by his sister, June Sennert; daughter, Bonnie (Ray) Doucette; and twin sons, Tom (Carol) Stephenson and Don (JoAnn) Stephenson; grandchildren, Kara (Sean) Murtha, Stephanie (Mitchell) Whaley, Dawn (Brent) Whaley, Tom, Rob and Don Stephenson, BettyJo D'Amato, Cheryl (Mitch) Legaspi and Heather Stephenson; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Madison Murtha, Raelyn Whaley, Chaice and Kielee Stephenson, Danny, Gabriella and Johnathan D'Amato, Makayla and Kali Legaspi and Alexis LoGuidice.

He was predeceased by Wilma, his loving wife of 58 years; brother, Fred Pettit; sisters, Marie Hilken, Florence Vanetta, and, Ila Woods; and his grandson, Harry Doucette.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Fountainhead Funeral Home, services will be 11:00 am Monday, August 22, 2011.