Harold J Laros

Harold passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024 at Concord Hospital following a brief illness. Harold was born at home on May 20, 1936, in Allentown, PA, to Joseph Alfred and Evelyn May (Boyer) Laros.

Harold is survived by his wife, Linda Mae (Craine) Laros (from Needham, MA) and his daughter Barbara Ann (Laros) Griswold (Christopher Bates) of Lebanon, NH, and his daughter-in-law Shannon (Sullivan) Laros of West Hartford, CT, his sister-in-law Lorraine E. Laros of Kutztown, PA. Harold was predeceased by his son, Curtis Alan Laros (2019) of Exeter, NH, his brother Robert Paul Laros (2021) of Fleetwood, PA and a nephew Jeffrey Joseph Laros of Allentown, PA. Harold leaves behind grandsons Jeffrey Scott Jackson (Danielle Ruggiero) of Sullivan, NH, and Steven Albert Griswold (Brooke Kennedy) of Canaan, NH, and his granddaughters Hannah Mae Griswold of Enfield, NH, Jillian Nicole (Laros) Adkins (Thomas Adkins) of Claremont, NH, Sarah Elizabeth (Laros) Mekos (Adam Mekos) of Quechee, VT, Helen Sullivan (Philip Rydziel) of Wethersfield, CT, and Grace Sullivan (Nelson Lora) of West Hartford, CT, nephews Michael Laros (Robin Laros) of Lenhartsville, PA, and Steven Laros (Sharon Smith) of Bethlehem, PA. and many great grandchildren.

Hal and his brother, Bob, grew up in Allentown and both graduated from William Allen High School. During his high school years Hal enjoyed playing jokes on his teachers and friends and thus was known as a class clown. He participated in the marching band playing first trombone, having been taught well by Henry Neubert. He also was involved in city league sports, playing basketball (well known for his successful half-court shot), baseball and fast pitch softball (where he perfected the arts of playing first and third base). Hal loved the sound of the ball leaving the bat and watching it soar out into the bleachers knowing that meant he didn't have to speed run around the bases.

After graduating from high school, Hal enlisted in the United States Air Force. He actually had meant to enlist in the Marines, but that recruiter was out, so he walked across the hall to the USAF office. After basic training at Sampson Air Base in Geneva, NY, Hal was assigned to Westover Air Base in Chicopee, MA, where his favorite supper was not consumed in the mess hall but a variety of delicatessens who were noted for their Italian grinders and Hampden Ale. While at Westover, Hal was notified that his background was under investigation in preparation an assignment requiring top security clearance. His neighbors, friends and relatives were amazed at how thorough the background check was done. After the clearance was approved, Hal was notified that his orders were being cut for Nouasseur Air Base Strategic Air Command (SAC) base in Morocco, North Africa. He told his Commander in no uncertain terms that he didn't want that assignment because it was too far away and he knew nothing about Africa. The Commander said he was not happy about that decision but Hal was free to get it changed. He sent Hal down the hall to speak with another officer. After relaying his message about an orders change, the officer lectured Hal about the word "orders" said to get out in a hurry and not to let the door slam. Hal wrote home about the embarrassing incident and told his parents that everyone in that office was still laughing about this greenhorn who didn't like his orders.

Hal went to Morocco. After getting over the shock of how very hot it was and sleeping in barracks with canvas sides Hal has taken every opportunity over the years to relay to his family and friends and anyone else who would listen, his many stories of his interesting experiences in Morocco.

After Transferring out of Morocco, Hal was assigned to Portsmouth Air Base in NH. While stationed there before discharge from the Air Force, he met Linda at Hampton Beach. He married Linda in 1960 in her hometown of Needham, MA, and they began married life in Hal's hometown of Allentown. Harold and Linda had two children, Curt & Barb, and stayed most of those (13) years on South Lumber Street. Hal was a great family man, but also found time to play softball and to be an active member of the Sertoma International Club which helps with many areas of community service. As the school system in Allentown deteriorated, Hal wanted to get his family back closer to her parents in New England where the schools were not experiencing problems.

He was able to secure a position at the National Bank of Lebanon (NBL), Lebanon, NH, and the family moved north. During his time at NBL, Hal helped with organizing and preparing for the 100th anniversary of the bank. Hal had always been interested in music. His mother taught him at an early age to sing and harmonize and he sang in a children's choir until his voice changed. His brother had taught him a great deal about Barbershop music. Hal was interested in trying out this hobby, but there was no organized local SPEBSQSA. Hal and a few friends decided to organize a group and Hal became one of the Charter Members of the North Country Chordsmen. Soon there was interest in a quartet group. Hal organized one and it went through a period of trials for a few years and finally one of the quartets became the multi award winning Top Drawer Four who even performed one summer as the quartet in the summer theater program of The Music Man. During their almost 30 years of singing, the TD4 won quite a few national contests and were invited to a beer company to spend a week singing in Ireland.

After retiring, from the work world, Harold and Linda became snowbirds for a few years, traveling back and forth between Hampstead, NH, and Largo, FL. Harold enjoyed being in the heat and humidity and also being able to go to major league and triple A baseball games a few nights a week and check out great baseball food. A drive to parks in Clearwater or Dunedin took just a few minutes. Then came another move north because all their family was either in PA or NH. They lived back in Allentown for a few years and then moved to Concord, NH, which Hal and Linda very much enjoy both Concord and the close proximity to family in NH and VT.

Our family invites family and friends to a Celebration of Life on December 7, Noon-3pm, at the American Legion Guyer/Carignan Post 22, 189 Mechanic Street, Lebanon, NH.

A US flag presentation is scheduled for December 18, 2024 1:00 PM at the NH Veteran's Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that you make donation to a favorite charity or to one of Hal's: Concord Firefighters Relief Assn. (checks only), 150 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301 or Pope Memorial SPCA, 94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301, or the American Legion Post 22.