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Harry J. Brock, Jr. | 87
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Harry J. Brock, Jr., 87, of 739 Maurus Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at Penn Highlands Elk, following a brief illness.
Harry was born October 11, 1933, in St. Marys, the second of eight children of Harry and Edna (Fritz) Brock. He attended Sacred Heart grade school and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1951. He worked for two years as a laboratory assistant at Stackpole Carbon Company in St. Marys before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1953. Two years later he entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis under an appointment from the Secretary of the Navy as a result of competitive examinations. He graduated with a BS in Engineering and was commissioned as an officer with the rank of Ensign in 1959 – his proudest accomplishment. While in the Navy, he served as supply officer on the USS Putnam Destroyer, Disbursement Officer at the U.S. Navy Propellant Plant in Indian Head, MD, did graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, attained Top Secret security clearance and achieved the rank of Lieutenant before leaving active duty in 1963.
From 1963-1965 he was part of the Controller’s Staff of Corning Glass Works, Corning, NY. Upon permanently resettling with his family in St. Marys in 1965, Harry began working for Airco Speer, and stayed with the company as it changed hands and became BOC’s Carbon/Graphite Division, and later the Carbide/Graphite (CG) Group. He worked in data management, sales engineering, and sales management before retiring in 1995.
On December 26, 1959, at Queen of the World Church, St. Marys, he married Patricia Straub, who survives. He has two sons: Fr. Herald (Harry) Joseph Brock, CFR, stationed in Paterson, NJ, and William Brock (Kate) of St. Marys; and two grandchildren: Hannah Brock of St. Marys, and William Brock of Washington, DC. He is survived by all seven of his siblings: Joan Frati of Wilmington, DE; Ann McDermott of Ocean City, MD; John Brock of St. Marys; Stan Brock of Rocklin, CA; Jim Brock of South Park, PA; Terry Brock of Jeffersonton, VA; and Jude Brock of Woodland Park, CO.
Harry was a devout Catholic and an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish, where he served as a lector and headed the committee that oversaw the renovations of the church in 1999. He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and participated in the Christian Family Movement, Cursillo, and the Boy Scouts. Harry was an avid fly fisherman, hunter and golfer, an enthusiastic sports fan, and a staunch Republican. After retirement, Harry and Patty enjoyed traveling to different destinations in the US and abroad, and for many years wintered in Florida.
Harry’s biography in the 1959 Naval Academy Lucky Bag Yearbook captured his personality in a way that still rings true to all who know and love him:
“Harry’s friendliness and his mature outlook on life caused people to respect his views on many subjects. His quick sense of humor, combined with an uncanny knack for saying the right thing at the proper time, gained for him the respect of his colleagues. His conscientious effort to do his best is indicative of his positive outlook on life.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 12:00 PM, with his son, Fr. Herald (Harry) Joseph Brock, CFR, and Fr. Michael Gabler, OSB, concelebrating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, July 18, 2021, from 4:00 until 7:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Sacred Heart Church, 337 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857, or to the Franciscan Mission Outreach, P.O. Box 1086, Secaucus, NJ 07096.
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Patty
I remember living in the same apartment building as you and Harry winter of 60-61 in Norfolk while going through some training.He and I had some great acey-deucy games. Saw you occasionally at reunions. Always enjoyed seeing Harry – he was one of the great ones.
Pag Pagnillo
Mrs. Brock and family,
Celebrate Harry’s life. He was a wonderful man.
Sorry for your loss, had good times with Harry on the golf course.
Ralph and I attended one USNA ’56 Reunion and the first classmate we ran into was Harry in Bancroft Hall. Pat and I ate our huge chocolate and nut covered ice cream on a stick together. These are cherished memories. I believe Ralph and Harry shared a ride from and to USNA on holidays. Harry sent a lovely note when Ralph passed last year. Our granddaughter recently entered USNA plebe summer for the class of 2025. Pat and family you are in my thoughts at this time of loss.
Dear Patty, Fr Herald, Bill and family,
Words cannot express our sorrow. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and only wish we could be there in person. Harry was a very special friend.
Leo and Ellen