- Date Of Birth: May 18, 1921
- Date Of Death: January 13, 2016
- State: Connecticut
Harold G. Slater Sr., 94, of Enfield and formerly of Manchester and Glastonbury, beloved husband of the late Florence (Anderson) Slater, died peacefully, Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at an area convalescent home. Harold was born May 18, 1921 in Glastonbury, son of the late Perry & Gertrude (Dennler) Slater, he attended local schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16 and was stationed in Fort DeRussey, Territory of Hawaii, and later, at Fort Shafter, Territory of Hawaii. There he was in the U.S. Army, Battery C, 64th Coast Artillery. He was present at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked. Later he was activated for active duty in Europe landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France in October 1944 (well after the beach was secured by Allied Forces) moving across to France, Belgium and Germany and participating in the Battle of the Bulge. In Europe he was in the U.S. Army 808th Field Artillery. During the Korean War, he was stationed at Camp Stewart, Georgia. There he trained recruits for 18 months before his Army discharge as Sergeant First Class. Harold was President of the Connecticut Nutmeg Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association for about 20 years until it was disbanded due to a dwindling member population. He had been a resident of Manchester for most of his life and prior to his retirement he was a proof supervisor for Eastern Type Setting Co. He is survived by five sons, Harold G. Slater Jr. of Los Angeles, CA., Gerard D. Slater and his wife Ophelia of Kensington, Kenneth A. Slater and his wife Maresa of Vernon, Donald N. Slater and his wife Marian of Manchester and Jeffrey D. Slater of Coventry, three grandsons, Douglas Slater and his wife Katie of Enfield, Jason Slater and his wife Julie also of Enfield and Eric Slater of Manchester and two great granddaughters, Jenna Slater and Madelina Slater both of Enfield. Other survivors include his brother William Slater of Florida, several nieces and nephews, many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Marcia Elizabeth Slater, his two brothers, Robert Slater and Nelson Slater and his sister Harriett Gaffney. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Vitas and Vernon Manor for the wonderful care shown to Harold during his time there.
