Obituary: Harry W. Read, 91

Harry W. Read died peacefully at home on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the age of 91. He was born Nov. 12, 1920 in Hightstown, NJ and has resided in Freehold since the age of 2. Read married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Skehan Read, in 1942 and they celebrated 69 years of marriage in August. He was predeceased his sister, Nancy "Betty'' Randolph, in 2009. He was also predeceased by two grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Shirley, Read is survived by his six children: Sue Smith and her husband Daryl, Cedar Falls, lowa; Cheryl Vota and her husband William Wickatunk, NJ; Nancy Ollwerther and her husband Don, Freehold, NJ; Harry Read, Jr. and his wife Pat, Camden, Maine; Judith Probasco and her husband Cliff, Perrinevill, NJ; and Richard Read and his wife Kim, Manasquan, NJ. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Read graduated from in 1938 and attended Rutgers University prior to entering his father's business, H.W. Read & Son/Kendall Motor Oil Company. Following his retirement, he worked for the County of Monmouth for 10 years. Read was a 70-year active member of in Freehold where he served as a Vestry member and usher. In addition, he assisted with the Outreach Dinner Program and was the official "handyman" at the .

Read joined the in 1945 and was an active member for 19 years before moving to Freehold Township in 1954. In 1967, Read and his good friend Jack Allen, decided that they would start a fire company on the east side of the township. For the past 44 years Read has been an active member and resource person for the . Read believed in service to the community and was involved as a Fire Commissioners, served in the Freehold Township Fire Prevention Board, the Freehold Township Board of Health, coached in the Little League programs in both Freehold Borough and Freehold Township and was proud to be an honorary member of the City of Alapaha, Georgia fire department.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 at the , in Freehold. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb.11 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Burial will be at , Freehold. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Peter’s Church, Freehold First Aid Squad or East Freehold Fire Company in Read's memory.