Harry Caleb Rockefeller Jr. (1930 - 2008)

Born 15 Feb 1930 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Died 10 Jan 2008 at age 77 in Melbourne, Brevard, Florida, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Fred Prisley [send private message]

Biography

Harry was born the son of Harry C. Rockefeller and Helena Maloney. ^{[1] [2]}

Harry attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and entered the U.S. Navy, where he made a career as an officer in the submarine service and as a subspecialist in telecommunications. He was a 39-year-old bachelor when he met in about June of 1969 to Suzanne (Prisley) Henderson, a widow with three children. Harry and Sue announced their engagement on 12 Feb 1970 and were married on 02 May 1970 at the Bethlehem Chapel at Washington National Cathedral. Harry's mother Helena died during Harry and Sue's honeymoon. After their marriage, Harry and Sue resided in Vienna, Virginia until 1976, when Harry was ordered to take command of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMSLANT) in Norfolk, Virginia. Harry retired from the Navy on 28 Jun 1979 and they moved back to Northern Virginia, where Harry worked on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Harry and Sue retired to Melbourne, Florida in 1996. ^[3]

Harry passed away on 10 Jan 2008. ^[4] He was cremated and his ashes were initially inurned 26 Jun 2008 at the National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, and were later removed to Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. ^[5]

Obituary

From Florida Today newspaper, 13 Jan 2008

"Captain Harry C. Rockefeller, USN (Ret) died at Holmes Regional Hospital, Thursday, January 10, 2008 after a brief illness. Born in Springfield, MA on February 15, 1930 to Helena Maloney and Harry Rockefeller, Sr. After graduating Dartmouth College, 1954, he was commissioned an Ensign, US Navy. His Navy career was served on submarines and in the communications field. He had command tours on the USS Quillback in Key West, and the Naval Communications Station, Norfolk, VA. In his civilian career he worked as a manager with several companies building satellites for the Space Shuttle Program. He retired in 1992 as an Assistant Program Manager with Contel Corporation. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sue; daughter, Kim Henderson Wagner of Brookneal, VA; sons, Gray Henderson of Alexandria, VA and Robert Henderson Rockefeller and wife, Tammy of Lorton, VA; three grandsons, two great granddaughters, brother, Alan Thyberg of Southwick, MA; niece, Donna H. Lapton of Port Charlotte, FL; and nephew, Stephen T. Lapton of Jacksonville, FL. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy J. Rockefeller. Harry was a member of over 50 years of Anchor Lodge, #182 F.& A.M., Key West, FL; a member of the Levering Smith Chapter of the Naval Submarine League and a member of Snug Harbor USSVI. Harry also served on the vestry at Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA; and Hope Episcopal Church, Melbourne. He ministered to many members of the church and his community as a companion to friends in declining health." ^[6]

Research Notes

Harry's classmate at Dartmouth (Class of '54) was Reginald Hyde Post. Harry and Sue wondered if he was a distant relation of Sue's mother's line of Posts, but were unable to make a connection.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XQG2-3GC : accessed 4 March 2019), Harry C Rockefeller Jr. in household of Harry C Rockefeller, Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 36, sheet 13A, line 15, family 306, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 912; FHL microfilm 2,340,647.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4KN-P9S : 16 March 2018), Harry Rockefeller in household of Helena Rockefeller, Ward 6, Springfield, Springfield City, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 22-137, sheet 12A, line 11, family 267, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1710.
3. ↑ Information provided by Harry's wife Sue (Prisley) Rockefeller in 2008
4. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JBDC-SYQ : 12 January 2021), Harry C Rockefeller, 10 Jan 2008; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
5. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #188247458 for Harry C. Rockefeller, Jr (15 Feb 1930–10 Jan 2008), citing Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims, Brevard County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Mark Utley (contributor 47178748).
6. ↑ Florida Today, 13 Jan 2008