Rev. Harry C. Sherry was born July 23, 1929, in Dora, Pa., the oldest of five children born to Harry Edward "Ed" and Hazel Evelyn (McDowell) Sherry.
Harry, or "Har" as he was often called, graduated from Punxsutawney High School in 1947 where he was active in band, football, and FFA. He married Naomi Lowmaster on August 19, 1950, and was quickly whisked off to basic training with his Pa. National Guard unit to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served in Germany.
Before Rev. Sherry was called to the ministry in 1958, he had worked delivering 7-Up, was a diesel mechanic, and worked mostly in coal stripping. Naomi often said, "I married a stripper, not a preacher."
With three kids in tow and soon to be four, he answered the call to serve God with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (E.U.B.). He was appointed to serve three churches in a "charge" as a student pastor while attending Penn State and then four churches while attending Clarion State Teachers' College from which he graduated in 1964.
When serving four churches, Rev. Sherry would preach at one church at 8:30 a.m., a second at 11:00 a.m, and the third at 7:30 p.m. The fourth church was led by lay leaders with the schedule changing weekly. In 1968 he received his Masters of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
As a pastor in the former E.U.B. Church and now the United Methodist Church, Rev. Sherry served the following churches: East Freedom EUB, Canoe Creek EUB, Mount Moriah EUB (East Freedom Charge, 1958-1961); New Salem EUB, North Freedom EUB, Mudlic EUB, Mt. Carmel EUB, aka Crossroads (New Salem Charge, 1961-1964); Lockington EUB, New Hope EUB (Lockington, Ohio charge, 1964-1967); Rector EUB/UM, Waterford EUB/UM (Rector Charge, 1967-1971); Zion UM, Rochester (1971-1980); Calvary UM, Somerset (1980-1989); and Elizabeth UM, Elizabeth (1989-1995). Even after retirement in 1995, he continued to fill in part-time at the churches of the Harnedsville charge in Somerset Co., Pa.
Rev. Sherry enjoyed music especially religious and classical. And he loved to sing. He joined the Western Pennsylvania Conference Men's Minister Chorus in 1959 and sang with the choir for more than 50 years. While in seminary he also traveled with the seminary choir and took trips to Germany and California.
Harry enjoyed mechanics and woodworking. He took pride in doing much of the work on his own cars. While living in Somerset he worked on many wood projects and built keepsake filing cabinets for most of his children and grandchildren.
Rev. Sherry loved to travel. He and Naomi traveled to Europe on many occasions. They were tour leaders for Educational Opportunities Tours, guiding 11 trips in this capacity. In 1990 they attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. They enjoyed cruises in Hawaii, Alaska, Scandinavia, Greece, Turkey, and the Caribbean. He and Naomi also traveled to all 50 states. In addition, Rev. Sherry was also a tour leader for two trips to the Holy Land.
He was an active golfer with the Northwinds Seniors. He was a coordinator of Camp Allegheny's Saints and Sinners' annual golf tournament for 15 years and formerly served on the Board of Directors at Camp Allegheny. On June 30, 2003, he proudly shot a hole-in-one at the Northwinds course. In 2005 he drove a courtesy car for Gary Player at Laurel Valley Golf Club for the Senior PGA Championship and in 2014 attended the Masters Golf Championship in Augusta, Georgia.
Rev. Sherry loved the outdoors. His daily routine late in life included a one-mile walk, often to the library, and to the former church he served where he was Pastor Emeritus. He enjoyed riding his bike and, in the four years before his death rode most of the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County. His last ride, at age 86, was October 21, 2015, when he rode through the newly opened Pinkerton tunnel on the trail. Reaching the end of the planned ride he asked, "Is this all the farther we're going?" Then he rode five miles farther.
Harry and his wife, Naomi, were active campers for more than 40 years with the National Campers and Hikers Association (NCHA) which became the Family Campers and RVers Association (FCRV). Beginning in 1972 until 2012 they attended the annual "Campvention" held in different states and in Canada. Rev. Sherry also served terms as the Pennsylvania State Chaplain and the National Chaplain.
He loved the three Pittsburgh professional teams: The Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. He attended the 1971 World Series (Game 5) having previously turned down an offer from his sister to attend the 1960 Series (Game 6) insisting that she take their father instead. Despite never attending the University of Pittsburgh, he was a lifelong fan of the Pitt Panthers. In 1976 he was named Pitt Super Fan by the Beaver County Times.
He was extremely brand loyal. Once he found something he liked he stayed with it. Chevrolet/GMC. John Deere. And he loved cheering for Arnold Palmer. Of course, this loyalty extended mostly to his wife and his family.
Rev. Sherry suffered from the effects of a fall in April. With a traumatic brain injury and dementia, he suddenly was not the same person we knew for 86 years. Yet when all filters were removed and his cognitive skills diminished, behind all that was revealed a kind and loving man – a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all who knew him.
Rev. Sherry died peacefully surrounded by his family Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at the Patriot Manor in Somerset, Pa. He was survived by his wife, Naomi, brothers Don (Kay) Sherry of Juneau and Tom Sherry of Pittsburgh, sister-in-law Barb Sherry of Punxsutawney, and the following children: Bernie (Susan) Sherry, Ligonier; Brenda (Bill) McNeil, Stansbury Park, Utah; Barry (Cheri) Sherry, Woodbridge, Va.; Brad (Lori) Sherry, Sewickley, and Betsy (Tom) Plietz, Pittsburgh. Also survived by grandchildren: Michael (Erin) Sherry, Rebecca (Josh) Reese, Matthew (Heather) Sullenberger, Kevin Sullenberger, Bethany (Andy) Olejer, Ashley (Bryan) Snow, Andrew Sherry, Bradleigh Sherry, Parker Sherry, Noah Cramer, Wesley Cramer, Hannah Cramer, and Emily Cramer. He was also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Carson, Brooklyn, Austin, and London Sherry, Alyssa Reese, Andy and Aiden Olejer, Annabelle and Sonora Snow, Bentley Sherry, and Reese Cramer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patricia Rowland, his brother Jim Sherry, infant daughter Beth Rae Sherry, and infant granddaughter, Lindsay Sherry.
Friends were received on Friday, September 16 at Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, Somerset. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, Somerset. No fewer than 24 United Methodist pastors were in attendance. The service was conducted by the Reverends Marlin Miller and Arnold McFarland. The Western Pennsylvania Conference Ministers' Chorus sang. Reflections were shared by children Bernie, Brad, Barry, and Betsy and his brother, Tom Sherry. Bernie, Susan, and Michael Sherry sang "Does Jesus Care?" Granddaughters Bethany Olejer and Ashley Snow closed the service by singing the "Irish Blessing."
As a final tribute, his remains were buried on November 5, 2016, at Fairview Cemetery, in the family plot with his daughter, Beth Rae Sherry.
Harry, or "Har" as he was often called, graduated from Punxsutawney High School in 1947 where he was active in band, football, and FFA. He married Naomi Lowmaster on August 19, 1950, and was quickly whisked off to basic training with his Pa. National Guard unit to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served in Germany.
Before Rev. Sherry was called to the ministry in 1958, he had worked delivering 7-Up, was a diesel mechanic, and worked mostly in coal stripping. Naomi often said, "I married a stripper, not a preacher."
With three kids in tow and soon to be four, he answered the call to serve God with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (E.U.B.). He was appointed to serve three churches in a "charge" as a student pastor while attending Penn State and then four churches while attending Clarion State Teachers' College from which he graduated in 1964.
When serving four churches, Rev. Sherry would preach at one church at 8:30 a.m., a second at 11:00 a.m, and the third at 7:30 p.m. The fourth church was led by lay leaders with the schedule changing weekly. In 1968 he received his Masters of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
As a pastor in the former E.U.B. Church and now the United Methodist Church, Rev. Sherry served the following churches: East Freedom EUB, Canoe Creek EUB, Mount Moriah EUB (East Freedom Charge, 1958-1961); New Salem EUB, North Freedom EUB, Mudlic EUB, Mt. Carmel EUB, aka Crossroads (New Salem Charge, 1961-1964); Lockington EUB, New Hope EUB (Lockington, Ohio charge, 1964-1967); Rector EUB/UM, Waterford EUB/UM (Rector Charge, 1967-1971); Zion UM, Rochester (1971-1980); Calvary UM, Somerset (1980-1989); and Elizabeth UM, Elizabeth (1989-1995). Even after retirement in 1995, he continued to fill in part-time at the churches of the Harnedsville charge in Somerset Co., Pa.
Rev. Sherry enjoyed music especially religious and classical. And he loved to sing. He joined the Western Pennsylvania Conference Men's Minister Chorus in 1959 and sang with the choir for more than 50 years. While in seminary he also traveled with the seminary choir and took trips to Germany and California.
Harry enjoyed mechanics and woodworking. He took pride in doing much of the work on his own cars. While living in Somerset he worked on many wood projects and built keepsake filing cabinets for most of his children and grandchildren.
Rev. Sherry loved to travel. He and Naomi traveled to Europe on many occasions. They were tour leaders for Educational Opportunities Tours, guiding 11 trips in this capacity. In 1990 they attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. They enjoyed cruises in Hawaii, Alaska, Scandinavia, Greece, Turkey, and the Caribbean. He and Naomi also traveled to all 50 states. In addition, Rev. Sherry was also a tour leader for two trips to the Holy Land.
He was an active golfer with the Northwinds Seniors. He was a coordinator of Camp Allegheny's Saints and Sinners' annual golf tournament for 15 years and formerly served on the Board of Directors at Camp Allegheny. On June 30, 2003, he proudly shot a hole-in-one at the Northwinds course. In 2005 he drove a courtesy car for Gary Player at Laurel Valley Golf Club for the Senior PGA Championship and in 2014 attended the Masters Golf Championship in Augusta, Georgia.
Rev. Sherry loved the outdoors. His daily routine late in life included a one-mile walk, often to the library, and to the former church he served where he was Pastor Emeritus. He enjoyed riding his bike and, in the four years before his death rode most of the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County. His last ride, at age 86, was October 21, 2015, when he rode through the newly opened Pinkerton tunnel on the trail. Reaching the end of the planned ride he asked, "Is this all the farther we're going?" Then he rode five miles farther.
Harry and his wife, Naomi, were active campers for more than 40 years with the National Campers and Hikers Association (NCHA) which became the Family Campers and RVers Association (FCRV). Beginning in 1972 until 2012 they attended the annual "Campvention" held in different states and in Canada. Rev. Sherry also served terms as the Pennsylvania State Chaplain and the National Chaplain.
He loved the three Pittsburgh professional teams: The Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. He attended the 1971 World Series (Game 5) having previously turned down an offer from his sister to attend the 1960 Series (Game 6) insisting that she take their father instead. Despite never attending the University of Pittsburgh, he was a lifelong fan of the Pitt Panthers. In 1976 he was named Pitt Super Fan by the Beaver County Times.
He was extremely brand loyal. Once he found something he liked he stayed with it. Chevrolet/GMC. John Deere. And he loved cheering for Arnold Palmer. Of course, this loyalty extended mostly to his wife and his family.
Rev. Sherry suffered from the effects of a fall in April. With a traumatic brain injury and dementia, he suddenly was not the same person we knew for 86 years. Yet when all filters were removed and his cognitive skills diminished, behind all that was revealed a kind and loving man – a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all who knew him.
Rev. Sherry died peacefully surrounded by his family Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at the Patriot Manor in Somerset, Pa. He was survived by his wife, Naomi, brothers Don (Kay) Sherry of Juneau and Tom Sherry of Pittsburgh, sister-in-law Barb Sherry of Punxsutawney, and the following children: Bernie (Susan) Sherry, Ligonier; Brenda (Bill) McNeil, Stansbury Park, Utah; Barry (Cheri) Sherry, Woodbridge, Va.; Brad (Lori) Sherry, Sewickley, and Betsy (Tom) Plietz, Pittsburgh. Also survived by grandchildren: Michael (Erin) Sherry, Rebecca (Josh) Reese, Matthew (Heather) Sullenberger, Kevin Sullenberger, Bethany (Andy) Olejer, Ashley (Bryan) Snow, Andrew Sherry, Bradleigh Sherry, Parker Sherry, Noah Cramer, Wesley Cramer, Hannah Cramer, and Emily Cramer. He was also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Carson, Brooklyn, Austin, and London Sherry, Alyssa Reese, Andy and Aiden Olejer, Annabelle and Sonora Snow, Bentley Sherry, and Reese Cramer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patricia Rowland, his brother Jim Sherry, infant daughter Beth Rae Sherry, and infant granddaughter, Lindsay Sherry.
Friends were received on Friday, September 16 at Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, Somerset. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, Somerset. No fewer than 24 United Methodist pastors were in attendance. The service was conducted by the Reverends Marlin Miller and Arnold McFarland. The Western Pennsylvania Conference Ministers' Chorus sang. Reflections were shared by children Bernie, Brad, Barry, and Betsy and his brother, Tom Sherry. Bernie, Susan, and Michael Sherry sang "Does Jesus Care?" Granddaughters Bethany Olejer and Ashley Snow closed the service by singing the "Irish Blessing."
As a final tribute, his remains were buried on November 5, 2016, at Fairview Cemetery, in the family plot with his daughter, Beth Rae Sherry.
Rev. Harry C. Sherry was born July 23, 1929, in Dora, Pa., the oldest of five children born to Harry Edward "Ed" and Hazel Evelyn (McDowell) Sherry.
Harry, or "Har" as he was often called, graduated from Punxsutawney High School in 1947 where he was active in band, football, and FFA. He married Naomi Lowmaster on August 19, 1950, and was quickly whisked off to basic training with his Pa. National Guard unit to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served in Germany.
Before Rev. Sherry was called to the ministry in 1958, he had worked delivering 7-Up, was a diesel mechanic, and worked mostly in coal stripping. Naomi often said, "I married a stripper, not a preacher."
With three kids in tow and soon to be four, he answered the call to serve God with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (E.U.B.). He was appointed to serve three churches in a "charge" as a student pastor while attending Penn State and then four churches while attending Clarion State Teachers' College from which he graduated in 1964.
When serving four churches, Rev. Sherry would preach at one church at 8:30 a.m., a second at 11:00 a.m, and the third at 7:30 p.m. The fourth church was led by lay leaders with the schedule changing weekly. In 1968 he received his Masters of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
As a pastor in the former E.U.B. Church and now the United Methodist Church, Rev. Sherry served the following churches: East Freedom EUB, Canoe Creek EUB, Mount Moriah EUB (East Freedom Charge, 1958-1961); New Salem EUB, North Freedom EUB, Mudlic EUB, Mt. Carmel EUB, aka Crossroads (New Salem Charge, 1961-1964); Lockington EUB, New Hope EUB (Lockington, Ohio charge, 1964-1967); Rector EUB/UM, Waterford EUB/UM (Rector Charge, 1967-1971); Zion UM, Rochester (1971-1980); Calvary UM, Somerset (1980-1989); and Elizabeth UM, Elizabeth (1989-1995). Even after retirement in 1995, he continued to fill in part-time at the churches of the Harnedsville charge in Somerset Co., Pa.
Rev. Sherry enjoyed music especially religious and classical. And he loved to sing. He joined the Western Pennsylvania Conference Men's Minister Chorus in 1959 and sang with the choir for more than 50 years. While in seminary he also traveled with the seminary choir and took trips to Germany and California.
Harry enjoyed mechanics and woodworking. He took pride in doing much of the work on his own cars. While living in Somerset he worked on many wood projects and built keepsake filing cabinets for most of his children and grandchildren.
Rev. Sherry loved to travel. He and Naomi traveled to Europe on many occasions. They were tour leaders for Educational Opportunities Tours, guiding 11 trips in this capacity. In 1990 they attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. They enjoyed cruises in Hawaii, Alaska, Scandinavia, Greece, Turkey, and the Caribbean. He and Naomi also traveled to all 50 states. In addition, Rev. Sherry was also a tour leader for two trips to the Holy Land.
He was an active golfer with the Northwinds Seniors. He was a coordinator of Camp Allegheny's Saints and Sinners' annual golf tournament for 15 years and formerly served on the Board of Directors at Camp Allegheny. On June 30, 2003, he proudly shot a hole-in-one at the Northwinds course. In 2005 he drove a courtesy car for Gary Player at Laurel Valley Golf Club for the Senior PGA Championship and in 2014 attended the Masters Golf Championship in Augusta, Georgia.
Rev. Sherry loved the outdoors. His daily routine late in life included a one-mile walk, often to the library, and to the former church he served where he was Pastor Emeritus. He enjoyed riding his bike and, in the four years before his death rode most of the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County. His last ride, at age 86, was October 21, 2015, when he rode through the newly opened Pinkerton tunnel on the trail. Reaching the end of the planned ride he asked, "Is this all the farther we're going?" Then he rode five miles farther.
Harry and his wife, Naomi, were active campers for more than 40 years with the National Campers and Hikers Association (NCHA) which became the Family Campers and RVers Association (FCRV). Beginning in 1972 until 2012 they attended the annual "Campvention" held in different states and in Canada. Rev. Sherry also served terms as the Pennsylvania State Chaplain and the National Chaplain.
He loved the three Pittsburgh professional teams: The Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. He attended the 1971 World Series (Game 5) having previously turned down an offer from his sister to attend the 1960 Series (Game 6) insisting that she take their father instead. Despite never attending the University of Pittsburgh, he was a lifelong fan of the Pitt Panthers. In 1976 he was named Pitt Super Fan by the Beaver County Times.
He was extremely brand loyal. Once he found something he liked he stayed with it. Chevrolet/GMC. John Deere. And he loved cheering for Arnold Palmer. Of course, this loyalty extended mostly to his wife and his family.
Rev. Sherry suffered from the effects of a fall in April. With a traumatic brain injury and dementia, he suddenly was not the same person we knew for 86 years. Yet when all filters were removed and his cognitive skills diminished, behind all that was revealed a kind and loving man – a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all who knew him.
Rev. Sherry died peacefully surrounded by his family Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at the Patriot Manor in Somerset, Pa. He was survived by his wife, Naomi, brothers Don (Kay) Sherry of Juneau and Tom Sherry of Pittsburgh, sister-in-law Barb Sherry of Punxsutawney, and the following children: Bernie (Susan) Sherry, Ligonier; Brenda (Bill) McNeil, Stansbury Park, Utah; Barry (Cheri) Sherry, Woodbridge, Va.; Brad (Lori) Sherry, Sewickley, and Betsy (Tom) Plietz, Pittsburgh. Also survived by grandchildren: Michael (Erin) Sherry, Rebecca (Josh) Reese, Matthew (Heather) Sullenberger, Kevin Sullenberger, Bethany (Andy) Olejer, Ashley (Bryan) Snow, Andrew Sherry, Bradleigh Sherry, Parker Sherry, Noah Cramer, Wesley Cramer, Hannah Cramer, and Emily Cramer. He was also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Carson, Brooklyn, Austin, and London Sherry, Alyssa Reese, Andy and Aiden Olejer, Annabelle and Sonora Snow, Bentley Sherry, and Reese Cramer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patricia Rowland, his brother Jim Sherry, infant daughter Beth Rae Sherry, and infant granddaughter, Lindsay Sherry.
Friends were received on Friday, September 16 at Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, Somerset. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, Somerset. No fewer than 24 United Methodist pastors were in attendance. The service was conducted by the Reverends Marlin Miller and Arnold McFarland. The Western Pennsylvania Conference Ministers' Chorus sang. Reflections were shared by children Bernie, Brad, Barry, and Betsy and his brother, Tom Sherry. Bernie, Susan, and Michael Sherry sang "Does Jesus Care?" Granddaughters Bethany Olejer and Ashley Snow closed the service by singing the "Irish Blessing."
As a final tribute, his remains were buried on November 5, 2016, at Fairview Cemetery, in the family plot with his daughter, Beth Rae Sherry.
Harry, or "Har" as he was often called, graduated from Punxsutawney High School in 1947 where he was active in band, football, and FFA. He married Naomi Lowmaster on August 19, 1950, and was quickly whisked off to basic training with his Pa. National Guard unit to Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served in Germany.
Before Rev. Sherry was called to the ministry in 1958, he had worked delivering 7-Up, was a diesel mechanic, and worked mostly in coal stripping. Naomi often said, "I married a stripper, not a preacher."
With three kids in tow and soon to be four, he answered the call to serve God with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (E.U.B.). He was appointed to serve three churches in a "charge" as a student pastor while attending Penn State and then four churches while attending Clarion State Teachers' College from which he graduated in 1964.
When serving four churches, Rev. Sherry would preach at one church at 8:30 a.m., a second at 11:00 a.m, and the third at 7:30 p.m. The fourth church was led by lay leaders with the schedule changing weekly. In 1968 he received his Masters of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
As a pastor in the former E.U.B. Church and now the United Methodist Church, Rev. Sherry served the following churches: East Freedom EUB, Canoe Creek EUB, Mount Moriah EUB (East Freedom Charge, 1958-1961); New Salem EUB, North Freedom EUB, Mudlic EUB, Mt. Carmel EUB, aka Crossroads (New Salem Charge, 1961-1964); Lockington EUB, New Hope EUB (Lockington, Ohio charge, 1964-1967); Rector EUB/UM, Waterford EUB/UM (Rector Charge, 1967-1971); Zion UM, Rochester (1971-1980); Calvary UM, Somerset (1980-1989); and Elizabeth UM, Elizabeth (1989-1995). Even after retirement in 1995, he continued to fill in part-time at the churches of the Harnedsville charge in Somerset Co., Pa.
Rev. Sherry enjoyed music especially religious and classical. And he loved to sing. He joined the Western Pennsylvania Conference Men's Minister Chorus in 1959 and sang with the choir for more than 50 years. While in seminary he also traveled with the seminary choir and took trips to Germany and California.
Harry enjoyed mechanics and woodworking. He took pride in doing much of the work on his own cars. While living in Somerset he worked on many wood projects and built keepsake filing cabinets for most of his children and grandchildren.
Rev. Sherry loved to travel. He and Naomi traveled to Europe on many occasions. They were tour leaders for Educational Opportunities Tours, guiding 11 trips in this capacity. In 1990 they attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. They enjoyed cruises in Hawaii, Alaska, Scandinavia, Greece, Turkey, and the Caribbean. He and Naomi also traveled to all 50 states. In addition, Rev. Sherry was also a tour leader for two trips to the Holy Land.
He was an active golfer with the Northwinds Seniors. He was a coordinator of Camp Allegheny's Saints and Sinners' annual golf tournament for 15 years and formerly served on the Board of Directors at Camp Allegheny. On June 30, 2003, he proudly shot a hole-in-one at the Northwinds course. In 2005 he drove a courtesy car for Gary Player at Laurel Valley Golf Club for the Senior PGA Championship and in 2014 attended the Masters Golf Championship in Augusta, Georgia.
Rev. Sherry loved the outdoors. His daily routine late in life included a one-mile walk, often to the library, and to the former church he served where he was Pastor Emeritus. He enjoyed riding his bike and, in the four years before his death rode most of the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County. His last ride, at age 86, was October 21, 2015, when he rode through the newly opened Pinkerton tunnel on the trail. Reaching the end of the planned ride he asked, "Is this all the farther we're going?" Then he rode five miles farther.
Harry and his wife, Naomi, were active campers for more than 40 years with the National Campers and Hikers Association (NCHA) which became the Family Campers and RVers Association (FCRV). Beginning in 1972 until 2012 they attended the annual "Campvention" held in different states and in Canada. Rev. Sherry also served terms as the Pennsylvania State Chaplain and the National Chaplain.
He loved the three Pittsburgh professional teams: The Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. He attended the 1971 World Series (Game 5) having previously turned down an offer from his sister to attend the 1960 Series (Game 6) insisting that she take their father instead. Despite never attending the University of Pittsburgh, he was a lifelong fan of the Pitt Panthers. In 1976 he was named Pitt Super Fan by the Beaver County Times.
He was extremely brand loyal. Once he found something he liked he stayed with it. Chevrolet/GMC. John Deere. And he loved cheering for Arnold Palmer. Of course, this loyalty extended mostly to his wife and his family.
Rev. Sherry suffered from the effects of a fall in April. With a traumatic brain injury and dementia, he suddenly was not the same person we knew for 86 years. Yet when all filters were removed and his cognitive skills diminished, behind all that was revealed a kind and loving man – a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all who knew him.
Rev. Sherry died peacefully surrounded by his family Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at the Patriot Manor in Somerset, Pa. He was survived by his wife, Naomi, brothers Don (Kay) Sherry of Juneau and Tom Sherry of Pittsburgh, sister-in-law Barb Sherry of Punxsutawney, and the following children: Bernie (Susan) Sherry, Ligonier; Brenda (Bill) McNeil, Stansbury Park, Utah; Barry (Cheri) Sherry, Woodbridge, Va.; Brad (Lori) Sherry, Sewickley, and Betsy (Tom) Plietz, Pittsburgh. Also survived by grandchildren: Michael (Erin) Sherry, Rebecca (Josh) Reese, Matthew (Heather) Sullenberger, Kevin Sullenberger, Bethany (Andy) Olejer, Ashley (Bryan) Snow, Andrew Sherry, Bradleigh Sherry, Parker Sherry, Noah Cramer, Wesley Cramer, Hannah Cramer, and Emily Cramer. He was also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Carson, Brooklyn, Austin, and London Sherry, Alyssa Reese, Andy and Aiden Olejer, Annabelle and Sonora Snow, Bentley Sherry, and Reese Cramer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patricia Rowland, his brother Jim Sherry, infant daughter Beth Rae Sherry, and infant granddaughter, Lindsay Sherry.
Friends were received on Friday, September 16 at Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, Somerset. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, Somerset. No fewer than 24 United Methodist pastors were in attendance. The service was conducted by the Reverends Marlin Miller and Arnold McFarland. The Western Pennsylvania Conference Ministers' Chorus sang. Reflections were shared by children Bernie, Brad, Barry, and Betsy and his brother, Tom Sherry. Bernie, Susan, and Michael Sherry sang "Does Jesus Care?" Granddaughters Bethany Olejer and Ashley Snow closed the service by singing the "Irish Blessing."
As a final tribute, his remains were buried on November 5, 2016, at Fairview Cemetery, in the family plot with his daughter, Beth Rae Sherry.
