Harold H. McCain of Ledyard passed away on Thursday, April 5 surrounded by his loving family and wife Sylvia. He was fondly known as Hal, Harry, Mac, Pop, Grampa, Daddy.
Hal was born April 1, 1930 in Portland, Maine to Bertha and Harold McCain. He grew up in Hartford Connecticut, graduated from Weaver High School. His first job was as an usher at the Strand Theatre "mostly, so I could take girls for free".
At 17, he enlisted in the Air Force where he attended boot camp until his father was called to get him since he had lied about his age. That was fine with Hal "cause boot camp sure wasn't for me." At 18 he joined the Navy and his love for submarines and adventure began. He also played football for Navy while stationed in Bayonnet, New Jersey.
In 1950 he married Elizabeth (Betty) McSweegan. Over the years they moved with the Navy to various ports. They longed to return home to Connecticut and finally did where Hal worked for Admiral Rickover with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They had 3 children and settled in Mystic where Hal spent the remainder of his 20 year Naval career. One of his fondest memories was in assisting in the writing of "The Thresher" a memorial book of his friends, neighbors and colleagues lost at sea. He was a member of the Holland Club and a member of the Groton SubVets.
In Mystic he was active in his kids’ education and coached baseball and basketball for many years. He was a member of the school building committee. He and Betty were married for 38 years until her untimely passing in 1988.
After retiring from the Navy as Chief Petty Officer, he continued his government career for another 20 years with the postal service in Mystic before becoming postmaster in Ledyard. There he met and married Sylvia Andersen . Together they have enjoyed over 25 years.
Hal who was a man of few words having been known for just writing "true" on "sappy" cards, but he wanted all his family to know "I couldn't have asked for more..I have no complaints". And those who knew him best know that Hal enjoyed every single day. He was a man who taught his children the best way to say "I love you" has little to do with words. Hal appreciated life and valued all those around him and he truly believed he was the lucky one. No matter if it was regaling his grandchildren with his adventures , family dinners or playing Kan-Jam with his grandsons on his 82nd birthday, beating everyone of them at chess or playing Friday night poker with his buddies, it all was great.
Besides his wife Sylvia, he is survived by his children, Karen (Joseph) Taylor, Karol McCain and Robert (Allison) McCain and his step-children Nate (Jackie) Andersen and Tammy Harrison.
The brightness of his life were his 10 grandchildren and he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first Great-Grandchild.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 9, at 10:00am at St. Patrick Church, 32 East Main Street, Mystic. Burial with full military honors will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery. There are no visiting hours.
Donations in his memory may be made to the SubVets, 40 School Street, Groton or to Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich CT 06360, and the family thanks them for their help and support.
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