HORNELL-Terry Lee Harkenrider, 73, of Catherine Street, passed away Monday morning (March 20, 2023) at the Bath V.A. Medical Center, after a long illness. Terry fought through many illnesses including his last illness, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
He kept joy in his heart during hard and wonderful times in his life. As a father he reminded his daughter to never give up, keep the faith and the beauty in the world close to your heart. They enjoyed taking rides and watching the sunset together. Terry spent the best years of his life teaching others that veterans can heal. Heal together and heal each other with their love for God. Strength with the Holy Spirit.
Born in Hornell on Sept. 24, 1949, he was a son of the late Robert and Jessie (McKinley) Harkenrider. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his infant daughter, Alicia Harkenrider; two brothers, Robert and Richard Harkenrider; one sister, Sheila Day; two brothers-in-law, Philip Palmesano and Jesse Scott; two nieces, Teresa Palmesano Andreano and Loretta Scott Beck; and one nephew, Randy Harkenrider.
A graduate of Hornell High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team, Terry proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1969 until his honorable discharge in 1972. He was a Medic and heroically saved civilians and enjoyed working with newborn babies. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Terry formerly resided in Arkport where he shared a life with his former wife, Sylvia (Dugo) Harkenrider of Hornell, who he fell in love and married in 1975. He has been a resident of Hornell for most of his life and when he was younger, his very first job was delivering meat for the former Argentieri Market in Hornell. He eventually became an orderly at the former Bethesda Community Hospital in North Hornell and was later employed by the former SKF Industries in Hornell.
A member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Terry was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell and was a former member of the Arkport Memorial American Legion Post No 1248 and a member of the Hornell Association where he was a member of the Pool League.
Terry was a spiritual man who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed working outside gardening and planting flowers. He also liked reading medical books, watching the news and current events, and telling jokes and making people laugh.
He is lovingly survived by one daughter, Megan E. Harkenrider of Hornell; her mother and former wife, Sylvia (Dugo) Harkenrider of Hornell; two grandsons, Caleb Harkenrider (Mahogany Mount) of Hornell and Zaine Jenkins of Hornell; a great-granddaughter, Brylynn Rene’ Harkenrider; two sisters, Mary “Patsy” Scott of North Carolina, and Joanne Palmesano of Hornell; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and his lifelong best friend, Dorothy Parschal of Catherine Street and her granddaughter, Carrie Ann Gillian; her son, Kevin Hixson and daughters, Tanayzah Gillian and Shay Lynn Parschal.
Calling hours are 1-3 p.m. Sunday (March 26, 2023) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell where the United States flag and the Air Force flag will proudly fly in recognition of Terry’s military service.
Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday (March 27, 2023). Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to Casa-Trinity, 86 River St., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Terry’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Terry are welcome on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home or at www.bishopdesanto.com.
