- Date Of Birth: December 30, 1936
- Date Of Death: January 6, 2015
- State: Maryland
On January 6, 2015 Sonny passed away peacefully in his home in Reedville, VA. He is survived by his loving wife Diane V. Harper, his beloved sister Joann Snyder, his three devoted children; William (Sharon), Andrew (Cynthia) and Laura Pool, his seven step kids; Sabrina, Glenn, Suzette, Aprill (Rob), Nicole (Tim), Nanette (Jon) and Tyler. He also leaves behind fifteen cherished grandchildren, Katie, Winston, Emma, Zack, Chloe, Bria, Chance, Maddie, Stephanie, Avery, Bumper, Grace, Harper, Jackie, and Jena.
Sonny Harper exemplifies what it means to be a human being who lived a wonderful life. He embraced all endeavors with a lovely joie de vivre. He was a fantastic husband, father and grandfather. Sonny was a person who could be counted on through good times and bad. He provided friends and family with insightful advice when asked and was the first to raise his hand when assistance was needed. After working for Willard Packaging Co. for over 30 years, Sonny and Diane moved to Reedville, but Sonny remained in touch with his co-workers, whom he consider friends. Sonny loved living on the water and enjoyed nature (the ospreys; herons; infrequent otter-sightings; deer; groundhogs (except when they chewed on wires under the house); as well as feeding the birds. He loved traveling; learning new things; tinkering with machines; his riding lawn mower and projects listed on his ubiquitous yellow pad. His love of music involved singing many years with the Baytones Barbershop group and he was instrumental in starting the Reedville Chorale. He lives on through a legacy that includes building the new YMCA in Northumberland County; serving on the Board of Festival Hall; volunteering at the Reedville Fishman’s Museum; for many years, coordinating Cocktails on the Creek; volunteering for Republican Club fundraising events, and always willing to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors. Sonny was an avid Maryland Basketball fan and was devoted to his Redskins! Sonny had a special bond with several Blair High School friends and looked forward to their annual trips to the beach and to the mountains for New Year’s Eve. Stayed in touch with his high school friends in Ohio. Sonny lives on every time one of us remembers him or tells a story about him that demonstrates his goodness and humanity. He was proud to be an American! He will be missed and remembered fondly for many years to come.
The celebration of Sonny’s life will be on
February 21, 2015
1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church
3425 Emory Church Road
Olney, Maryland 20832
Casual Attire
Northumberland YMCA
P. O. BOX 146
Heathsville, VA. 22473
Reedville Fisherman Museum
504 Main Street, Reedville, VA 22539
Reedville, VA. 22539
Reedville Friends
We will plan another Celebration of Sonny’s life in Reedville for some time at the end of April 2015.
