Obituary of Harry J. Crist

Harry J. Crist Harry J. Crist of Wappingers Falls formerly of Cornwall entered into rest Sunday February 22, 2009 at Wingate at Beacon. He was 80. Son of the late Leroy and Mae Kenney Crist he was born in Newburgh, NY on November 25, 1928. After graduation from Cornwall High School he served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1950-52. Harry returned from the war and married his devoted wife Cornelia (Corny) O'Rourke on November 29, 1952. They were married for 56 years. Corny was a devoted caregiver and especially attentive to his needs in the last nine years. Harry was an engineering technician with IBM in East Fishkill and retired in 1989 after 36 years of service. He was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and he will be remembered as a strong and devoted family man who always made time for his family and friends. He was a good and happy friend to many people and will surely be missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, Corny survivors include his loving and devoted daughter Jeanne and her husband Dale Bradshaw and his two loving and devoted grandsons Jason and Ryan and their beagle Murphy who was Poppy's pride and joy. Harry always looked forward to spending time at Jeanne, Dale, Jason and Ryan's house in Gardiner, NY. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Charlotte Visentin of Wappingers Falls, his cousin James Todd and his wife Mary Ann and their family of Central Valley, NY and several nieces and nephews. Harry was predeceased by his son Harry Crist, Jr. on December 2, 1987 and his brother Robert Crist in 2004. Family will receive their friends on Tuesday February 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Burial of cremains in the family plot at St. Mary's Cemetery will be private In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Harry's name to St. Francis Hospital, 241 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or Wingate at Beacon, 10 Hastings Drive, Beacon, NY 12508. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.