Obituary of Harold R. Holtznagel

Harold Roger Holtznagel passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023, with family holding his hand. Together, they listened to Kathryn Grayson, one of his favorite vocalists. “Harry” resided in West Berlin, NJ for 44 years and for the past 8 years in “Allegria at the Fountains” (Atco, NJ). He was born to the late Harold Walter and Inez (née Belsheim) Holtznagel in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 19, 1934. At the age of 16, Harry played for the Cleveland Indians Minor League Baseball Team. He graduated from Yakima High School (Washington State). Afterwards, Harry attended Art College in California. Harry served in the US Air Force Transportation Squadron. From boot camp in Oklahoma, he was transferred to McGuire Air Force Base (NJ), as a Special Vehicle Repairman. His training led to a 40-year career as an automotive mechanic. Harry then met his late beloved wife, Hilda Elizabeth (née Rock). They married on November 8, 1958. Shortly afterwards, he was deployed to Thule Greenland for 1 year. Upon his return from Greenland, he choose to leave the Air Force. After honeymooning in the Poconos he returned to the West Coast with Hilda, who was expecting their first of six children. They used a trailer to travel cross country. When sharing about their adventure, he often joked about being like Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez in the 1954 comedy movie “The Long, Long Trailer”. Survived by his children: Jeffrey Steven (Dawn), Beth Ann Gibson (James), Judith Lynn Pellegrino (Anthony), Matthew Thomas, Kathleen Inez Striewski (George), Bernadette Grabert (Brian). Harry was blessed with 10 Grandchildren: Christina Cantamessa (née Gibson), Dawn Gibson, Eileen (née Striewski) Kraska (Leo), Anthony L. Pellegrino (Angela), Vincent T. Pellegrino, Ashley (née Holtznagel) Rinkerberger (Josh), Gordon Holtznagel, Claudia R. (née Grabert) Berrios (Noah), Adam & Eric Grabert. 8 Great Grandchildren: Anthony & Nina Cantamessa, Draco Neuls, Gunner & Benjamin Rinkerberger, Imoen Kraska, Gianna Marie Pellegrino, Ava Holtznagel and one baby due in April 2023. In his earlier adult years, Harry coached and refereed CYO basketball. To this day, people still recall his entertaining and passionate love for the game. After growing up, many of Harry’s “young” players expressed appreciation for who he was as a coach.   A great storyteller, Harry captivated audiences wherever he went. His favorite hobbies were art, listening to music, watching sports and movies. He was an accomplished, amateur artist who drew portraits, landscapes, and nature. Winning several county and state awards for his artwork. He used his imagination, paper mâché and readily available household objects to fashion everything from animal figures to “pirate eye patches”. He brightened the days of many Allegria residents and staff, who always looked forward to his next art project and story. Following Harry’s career as a mechanic, he obtained a CDL license and became a Bus Driver for seniors in Berlin and Evesham Townships. He was recognized with an award, for his dedication to passengers. Services will be held 9:30 AM, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at the St. Simon Stock Church (Berlin, NJ), with a mass to follow. Services will be streamed at https://www.stsimonstock.net [Scroll down to Live Stream Mass, click on the StreamSpot® “screen”.] Interment is scheduled to follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery (Wrightstown, NJ) at 1:15 PM. [There are special military cemetery protocols that need to be followed. Anyone wishing to attend must be prompt. Services are scheduled throughout the day every 15 minutes apart. Late arrivals may be turned away.] Family requests NO flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Harold R. Holtznagel to U.S. Veterans Affairs (Donate online | Veteran Affairs (va.gov)).