Harry Joseph Tracy

Harry Joseph Tracy of Eaton Rapids passed away peacefully on August 25, 2022. He was born October 18, 1922, to Harry and Mary (Riley) Tracy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He considered himself as a lifelong resident of Eaton Rapids and graduated in the Class of 1941. He married his life-time love, Sarah Velma Leach, on July 24, 1943, in Brainerd, MN just before shipping off to war. Harry enlisted in the Army December 1942 and was sent to Ft. Custer, MI, moved on to Minnesota, then on to the Western Pacific until his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army Air Corps in January 1946. Harry was the Underwriter Manager of the Michigan State Accident Fund until his retirement in 1985. He loved music…he previously sang in the First Congregational Church Choir, as well as listened and danced to the music from the 1940’s. He loved traveling (especially all over Michigan), camping, boating, touring in his antique cars, working in the yard, and cared deeply for his adopted hometown of Eaton Rapids, but most of all…he loved his family and friends.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Harry and Mary Tracy; wife, Sarah Velma; brother, Ed Tracy; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary (Andy) Bruestle, Anne (Claude) Basing and Margaret (Marvin) Barrett; stepson, Ronald L. Cataline; daughters-in-law, Ethelda M. and Shirley I. Cataline; grandsons, Baby Ronnie Cataline, Eric D. Pierce, Jamie R. Cataline, A.D. Thelen-Pinamonti; and his niece, Barbara (James) McLaughlin.
He is survived by his daughter, Sharen Jo (Larry), stepsons, James A. Cataline, William G. (Marilyn) Cataline, and Richard D. Cataline; grandchildren, Jason (Amy) and Kaleb Pierce. He has an additional 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 52 great-great grandchildren. Nieces, Eileen (Joseph) Jungel, Virginia (Joseph) DiGilio, Margaret (Frank) Chapman and Claudia (Michael) Graving; nephew, Tracy (Cynthia) Basing and all of their families; and his longtime special friend and her family, Patricia Conard (aka Grandma Duck).
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Springport VFW Post 6053, the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation, the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center or the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Island City Assisted Living, Elara Caring Hospice, the Eaton Rapids Medical Center and especially to Patricia Conard for the outstanding care he received over the years. To share memories or condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com