CHAREK, HAROLD, PFC

Harold Charek was born May 16, 1918 in what is now called the Slavic Village area of Cleveland, Ohio. 

His Father was Rudy and his Mother was Charlotte. Rudy was of Bohemian descent as his Father came to this country from Prague (Praha). Charlotte was from the Baldwin family which is of English descent.

Harold had an older brother named Arthur, now deceased, who like Harold served in WWII. Arthur was seriously wounded 8 November 1942 during Operation Torch in Northern Africa and then again at Anzio. Subsequently he received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for Valor.

Harold also had two sisters. Dorothy Sokol and Emily Willson, both are deceased. Finally, Harold had a younger brother, Edgar. Edgar moved to Phoenix Arizona after the war and is now deceased.

Harold attended Trinity Baptist Church on Garfield Boulevard as a child and met his future wife Jeanne Margaret Bowen at a church activity.

Harold graduated from South High School in Cleveland in June 1938. After graduating Harold experimented with various occupations that interested him. Among these he tried his hand as a bricklayer and found his entry into the Union blocked because his ethnic heritage was not right. Harold also worked for a time in a paint manufacturing plant on Union Avenue until settling on work at Alcoa. Harold also successfully ran for public office, being elected Constable in Newburgh Township in 1942.

In November 1942 Harold received the call to serve his Country. Harold reported for active duty and was inducted into the Army on 7 January 1943. In April 1943 Harold qualified as a Marksman on the 1903 Springfield and came within a hair of being appointed as a sniper. The news of his brother's severe injuries in Operation Torch altered Harold's final assignments somewhat. 

After Basic Training at Camp Sutton, NC Harold returned home on a 3 day pass and married Jeanne at a private ceremony in the Pastor's residence on June 28, 1943.

Harold left for England on the troop ship Mauretania on 11 September 1943. The destination was Plymouth England. Harold endured the nightly bombing raids as preparations were made for the Normandy Invasion. Harold was a member of the 1st Army, 29th Division, 224th Quartermaster Company charged with logistics, material and equipment supply as well as salvage and repair. Harold's Division went ashore on D-Day at Omaha Beach, and subsequently fought in the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland and Central Germany.

In November 1944 Harold was stationed in Verviers Belgium where he befriended several orphan children. Harold kept a daily journal and it records his experiences and movements throughout that time. In August of 1945 the 29th Division ended operations in Berlin. In October of 1945 Harold was assigned to the 208th Engineering Command Battalion, Company C.

In December of 1945 with hostilities ended, Harold was among the fortunate few to return home unwounded. Harold received the Good Conduct Medal with two knots, a Meritorious Unit Award, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, the Army of the Occupation Medal and the WWII Victory Medal and of course the Honorable Discharge, "Ruptured Duck".

Harold then tried his hand as an entrepreneur by operating a gas station in Garfield Heights. Shortly, Harold realized that he appreciated the "uniform" and structure of the military and secured a position with the US Postal Service. With a uniform and structured environment in hand Harold went on to faithfully serve the US Postal Service for 35 years until he retired in 1983. Harold had an extremely strong work ethic and always had at least one part time job in addition to full time employment.

Harold and Jeanne had two sons; Thomas, born in 1952 and Terry, born in 1955. Harold raised his sons in the Church and was active with them first in the Cub Scouts and then in the Boy Scouts. Harold served as a Troop Leader and traveled on many wilderness campouts and canoe trips to northern Ontario. His children grew to be respected professionals in their fields and their success is a tribute to his early and continued involvement in their development and the example he set for them.

Harold was actively involved in the South High School Alumni Association and held various leadership positions including Trustee until the time of his passing. Harold actively participated in their Alumni Scholarship Program and was instrumental in assisting deserving students in furthering their college education.

Throughout the fifties and into the seventies Harold was extremely active in the VFW, and held various leadership positions at Independence Post 3483. Harold served on the VFW Color Guard at the dedication of the Brecksville VA Medical Center and earlier traveled with the VFW for the dedication of the St. Lawrence Seaway in June 1959. In 1976 after Harold moved to Strongsville Ohio, he joined Strongsville Post 3345 and remained a member for life.

Harold and Jeanne enjoyed their home in Strongsville with its 2 acres and extensive garden. During the early 80's they were also active in the Strongsville Garden Club, a bowling league and the Parma South Presbyterian Church. In 1983 Harold retired from the US Postal Service and set out to enjoy his undivided time with Jeanne.

When he moved to Strongsville, Harold also made room in the home for his Mother in Law, Ida Bowen. Ida had many medical issues and Harold compassionately tended to her needs until she passed in 1985. Life then presented another challenge as Jeanne passed away of Cancer in 1986 after a valiant battle against the disease. The loss of his beloved wife was a tremendous blow and Harold grieved deeply. Harold never remarried, but became close with his beloved friend Josephine (Josie) Latarski. Harold kept close company with Josie until his passing.

In 1995 Harold was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and underwent surgery to remove the entire left lung, followed by chemo and radiation therapies. Harold was given a five year life expectancy by his Doctors. Obviously the record of Harold's life indicates he did much better than that. In 2002, Harold became gravely ill with the Flu and spent 10 days in the ICU. At that point he accepted the standing invitation to simplify his life and moved in with his oldest Son in North Royalton. The following four years were marked by good health, good friends, travel and a high quality of life, surrounded by those who loved him the most. Sadly, in February of 2006, Harold was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, a serious form of Cancer without a high chance of a cure.  

Harold was truly an exceptional man, an outstanding Father, Husband and a compassionate Leader. 

There is a huge void where this larger than life hero once stood.