Obituary of William R. Harlow

William R. Harlow, 86, of South Oak St. Oregon, died Thursday June 19, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI after a brief illness. Born in Amsterdam, NY November 21, 1921 to the late Frank and Ida Wickham Harlow. He lived in the towns of Sprakers and Amsterdam, NY most of his life prior to moving to Oregon WI in 1999. He had been employed by Beechnut-Lifesavers Co. of Canajoharie NY as a senior account Clerk for many years before retiring in 1981. Previously he had worked for Bigilow Rug Mills of Amsterdam, NY. Bill was very proud of his service in the United States Navy during WWII where he served in the Submarine Service as a Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class. He saw action on several patrols while serving on the USS Seawolf. He ended his tour of duty on the USS Tench where he had been transferred only three weeks prior to the sinking of the USS Seawolf of which none of the crew survived. He is pre-deceased by his loving wife Marguerite Greco Harlow who died in 1998. He leaves his devoted children a son Robert Harlow and wife Elizabeth of Oregon, a daughter Deborah Harlow Forastiere and husband Peter of East Longmeadow, MA. He also leaves five grandchildren William "Will" Harlow of NYC and Gina Harlow of Oregon, WI, Mathew Forastiere and wife Jana of Crosby, TX, Michael Forastiere of Houston, TX and Peter F. Forastiere and wife Audrey of Westbrook, ME and his great granddaughter Sloane Marguerite Forastiere of Crosby, TX. He is pre deceased by his brothers, Kenneth, John and Charles Harlow and sisters, Kathryn Cooper, Winifred Myers and Shirley Daynard, as well as several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held Friday evening June 27th from 4 to 7PM at the Betz, Rossi, Bellinger Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam, NY. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning June 28th with a viewing from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home in East Longmeadow, MA followed by a graveside service at Hillcrest Park Cemetery, Springfield, with full military honors Memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny's Corner Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010.