Harold "Hap" Powell

Harold Albert Powell (Hap), 93, of East Hartford and St. Pete Beach, FL., passed away peacefully at Manchester Memorial Hospital, after a brief illness from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was the beloved husband of Ruth Wiesner Powell for 68 years. Hap was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on July 20, 1917, the son of William and Hazel Hawes Powell.

He served his country honorably as a sergeant in the Army Air Force, where he was trained as an aircraft mechanic during World War II. He was employed for 35 years by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft as an Inspector in the Quality Assurance Department. Hap was especially proud to have been involved in the development of the fuel cell used in the Apollo moon landing. He was a member for over 50 years of the First Congregational Church in East Hartford, where he was a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. In addition, he participated in the Big Brother of America Program and the Friendship force. He was very physically fit and active and enjoyed daily walks and bicycle rides. A lifelong love of the sea and boats was fulfilled by many wonderful trips on Long Island Sound and in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and many cruises. He and Ruth travelled extensively throughout the world, including numerous trips to Europe and the Far East. After retirement, he and Ruth spent every winter until this year in Florida staying in their home in ST. Pete Beach and with their daughter and son in-law in St. Augustine. He will be remembered the most for his love and dedication to his family and friends, his sunny nature and great sense of humor.

In addition to his wife Ruth, he leaves his daughters, Lynn Powell and her husband Lee Conway of Glastonbury, Jill Mautner and her husband Robert of St. Augustine, Florida; his sister in-law Betty A. Wiesner of East Hartford; many nieces and nephews; step grandchildren and great grandchildren and lifelong friends. He was predeceased by his son Philip E. Powell of NYC.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 8th, from 5 to 8 pm at Newkirk & Whitney funeral home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, March 9th, at 11 am at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. CT Chapter, 2075 Silas Deane Hwy. Ste. 100, Rock Hill, CT.

The family wishes to thank the staffs at Manchester Memorial Hospital and Comfort Keepers for their excellent care and support to Hap and his family.