Harold W. Hirtle

August 16, 1924 - December 16, 2020

W. STEWARTSTOWN – Harold W. Hirtle, 96, formerly of Malden, Mass., and Bridgewater, NH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, at the Coös County Nursing Hospital in W. Stewartstown after a long period of failing health. He was born in East Boston, Mass., on Aug. 16, 1924, a son to the late Frank and Annebelle (Harper) Hirtle, one of six children. Harold was a proud Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 734th Field Artillery Battalion and he was an active member of veterans’ organizations for which he carried the American Flag in parades as a member of their Color Guard. He saw combat action at the Battle of the Bulge and throughout the Rhineland, and was in Germany at the end of the war. After discharge, Harold returned home and married the love of his life, Helen Sullivan, with whom he shared seventy years of marriage before her death in Sept., 2016. He went to night school in Malden and proudly earned his high school diploma and later took a business course at Harvard University. Harold worked in the meat department of First National Stores. He was then elected to serve as a business representative and later rose to President of the local union of what is now United Food & Commercial Workers Union. He is survived by his daughters Kathleen Cashton and her husband Steven of Byfield, Mass., and Linda Tyler and her husband Robert of Clarksville, NH. He is also survived by nine grandchildren who loved him dearly; twenty-four great grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Harold is also survived by his sister Mildred Rexford of Salisbury, Mass., and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his beloved wife, Harold was predeceased by his son, Thomas Hirtle of Malden and Lowell. There are no public calling hours. A private interment service with military honors will be held at a later date at the NH State Veterans’ Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.