Kenneth J. Harblin Jr., 85, of 19723 Hillside Dr., Watertown, passed May 23, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family and Hospice of Jefferson County.
He was born on February 8, 1927 in Watertown, NY, son of the late Kenneth J. and Ethel Sawyer Harblin Sr., and he graduated from Syracuse Central High School in 1945.
He entered the US Army on July 23,1945 and served with the 813th Trans Corp Car Co. He was honorably discharged as Private First Class on December 30, 1946 and received the Army Occupation Medal and WWII Victory Medal.
Upon returning home he attended Lemoyne College and began working for B-H Transportation Co. owned by his father from 1946 until 1965. He then worked for Purcell White Co., in Syracuse, until spring of 1967 at which time he purchased Harblin Motor Sales VW on outer Washington St., Watertown. He owned and operated the company from 1967 until 1977. He opened Harblin Auto Sales in 1977 until 1980, then turned the property into Harby’s Hot’s in 1980 which he operated for 27 years. Upon his retirement in July 2007 his daughter has continued the business.
Mr. Harblin was a former member of the Black River Valley Club, Ives Hill Country Club, Moose Pond Hunting Club and Town Council member for the Town of Watertown.
He married Antoinette T. “Toni” DeLongo on April 26, 1952 at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Solvay, NY.
Among his survivors are loving wife of 60 years, Antoinette T. “Toni” Harblin, Watertown; two sons and a daughter in law, Steven J. and Jennifer S. Harblin, Kelso, Washington, Jeffry J. Harblin and his fiance Lynda Watts, Baldwinsville, NY; a daughter and son in law, Susan A. and Gregory A. Dandrow, Watertown; a stepbrother and his wife, Thomas and Dorothea Harblin, Clinton, NY; 4 grandchildren, Alexandra Dandrow, Christopher Dandrow, Kenneth Harblin, Amelia Harblin; 3 great grandchildren and their dog Blitzen.
A sister, Betty LaBeef and his stepmother, Louise Harblin passed before him.
At the request of the family there will be no calling hours. A funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Tues., May 29th at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Robinson Pastor, officiating. Entombment with military honors will follow at Glenwood Mausoleum.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County or to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
