Obituary of Charles Edward Harbour

         Mr. Charles Edward Harbour, 86, of Amsterdam, passed away on Friday December 7, 2018, Pearl Harbor Day.

     Born in Amsterdam, NY on September 7, 1932 he was the son of the late Charles E. Harbour and Mary (O’Connell Riddell) Harbour Sr. He was a lifelong Amsterdam resident and was a 1950 graduate of the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School. He was a US Air Force Veteran serving in Europe as well as stateside in California. He was Honorably Discharged in 1960.  Charles was employed for over 35 years as Shop Foreman for the General Electric Company in Schenectady at its Steam Turbine Division. Charles also worked as a Real Estate Agent in his early retirement.

     Mr. Harbour enjoyed anything related to World War II History. He collected many books and various items of that era. He passed away on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor which triggered the beginning of World War II for the United States.   His mother, Mary Harbour, lived on Florida Avenue for many years across the street from former classmate Katrina S. (Lokenberg) Sorette, a widow with nine children. They wed on August 5, 1978. They enjoyed over 37 years of marriage on Florida Avenue until her passing on May 2, 2016.

     He is survived by three children and eight step children, including daughter, Laurie (Wayne) Fischer, of Fultonville, daughter, Michele (Ed) Blake of Broadalbin, son, David Harbour of Johnstown. Step-children Karol (Kevin) Eckelman of Tribes Hill, Martin Sorette of Amsterdam, Renee (Barry) Chin of Marshfield, Mass., Jennifer (Rod) Newhook of Amsterdam, Valerie (Joseph) Capriglione of Huntersville, NC, Philip (Heather) Sorette of Cordova, TN, David (Lauren) Sorette of Cincinnati, OH, and Michele Sorette of Mooresville, NC. Grandchildren Nicholas (Amanda) Fischer of Tribes Hill, Brian Blake of Saratoga Springs, Thomas and Abby Blake of Johnstown. He was predeceased by a sister, Carol Barnes, step-sister Kathleen Andrews and step-brother William (Dick) Kelly. Additionally, 11 step grandchildren and one nephew, Daniel Andrews of Amsterdam.

     Chapel Committal Service with Military Honors will be held at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville, NY on Monday December 17, 2018 at 2:00PM.   Contributions may be made to the Patriot Flight Inc., (for veterans) Box 190, Delmar, NY 12054 and St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are under the direction of the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Please leave condolences online at www.brbsfuneral.com