Harold Allen Chartier
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- Category: Obituaries
- Created on Friday, 07 February 2014 13:42
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How do you sum up the life of a good man? So many memories and qualities compacted into a few words.
Harold Allen Chartier (Harry) was a man who lived a life of integrity and inspired others through his kindness, humility and humor. Harry gave “a tip of the country hat” and joined up with the Ghost Riders in the Sky on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014. He leaves behind his loving children, daughter Susan Skye, and son Tim, daughter in-law Brooke, and beautiful granddaughter Loraine Marie, all of Sitka; as well as many, many friends from around the world.
Harry was born on Oct. 4, 1948, in Boise, Idaho. In 1978, he moved north to Alaska to work as an engineer in Skagway. Harry married Mary Soltis and they moved to Sitka to raise their family in 1981.
For nearly 20 years, Harry worked as a building official with the City of Sitka. He was dedicated to serving the community he loved with fairness and integrity. He approached his job with a heart for service and a can-do attitude.
Harry was a personality! He had a way of walking into a room bringing cheer in right behind him. When he met a new person, he would look them in the eye, find an authentic connection and leave that person feeling special and truly seen. Magically, Harry could do this even by sitting alone behind a microphone with his friends (the listeners) of his KCAW radio show, “Coming Up Country,” which he hosted every Friday night for many years.
Harry also helped build community through his volunteering with Southeast Regional Emergency Medical Services. He cared about people in their time of need and was there for Southeast Alaska.
Harry’s bones needed some sun, so after retiring from the City 10 years ago, he headed to eastern Oregon, and was living in Baker City at the time of his death. Many benefited from the gifts of rocks, pebbles and the arrowheads he would find.
He had a smile for everyone he encountered, and had two green thumbs on two helping hands. Mr. Chartier was a very patient man, especially while fishing.
Harry respected peace and took time to touch many hearts. His generosity, enthusiasm, strength through adversity, and genuine love for life will not soon be forgotten.
The community can tip our country hat and wish Harry happy trails at a celebration of his life at the Halibut Point Recreation Area later this February. Contributions can be made to the Harry Chartier Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank #538791867.
Thanks to the generosity and expertise of the the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska broadband department, Tidal Network ; Christopher Cropley, director of Tidal Network; and Luke Johnson, Tidal Network technician, SitkaSentinel.com is again being updated. Tidal Network has been working tirelessly to install Starlink satellite equipment for city and other critical institutions, including the Sentinel, following the sudden breakage of GCI's fiberoptic cable on August 29, which left most of Sitka without internet or phone connections. CCTHITA's public-spirited response to the emergency is inspiring.
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20 YEARS AGO
September 2004
Photo caption: Nikko Friedman and Gus Bruhl of the Rain Forest Rascals running team, dressed in skunk cabbage and boots, make their way down Lincoln Street during the annual Running of the Boots. Scores turned out for the event, a fundraiser for the Dog Point Fish Camp.
50 YEARS AGO
September 1974
The freshmen students initiation will be Friday at the school. Dress will be respectable. ... Suspension of three days will be enforced for any of the following violations: throwing of eggs; spraying of shaving cream; cutting of hair; and any pranks which could be harmful to the welfare of the students.
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