HARRY ALLCROFT, 93, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed from this world on Friday, May 5, 2017. He was a beloved husband, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.
Harry was born February 14, 1924, the youngest child of the late Annie and William Allcroft and raised in Paterson, N.J. He joined the U.S. Navy at 18 and served aboard the USS Connor, DD582, during World War II, engaging in numerous sea battles while serving in the South Pacific with Admiral Halsey’s Third Fleet. He was a life member of the Tin Can Sailors and the VFW.
He married Vera Mae McGilvery (also a U.S. Navy Veteran) in 1945 and they have remained happily together for 72 years. Together they raised five children in Wyckoff, N.J. before retiring to Port Charlotte in 1989.
He is survived by his wife, Vera; four children, the Rev. Carole (Ed) Wageman, Diane (Ken) Brown, Barbara Allcroft, and Harry Allcroft, Jr; six grandchildren, Dr. Jacqueline (David) Arns-Rossi, Donald (Kitty) Arns, Jr., Darren Arns, Jody (Brent) Andreoletti, Gavin Wageman and Kate Wageman; five great-grandchildren; Mackenzie and Riley Arns, and Ryan, Ava and Ella Andreoletti; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Joyce Ann Forbes and her husband Jack Forbes.
The family would like to extend our deep thanks and appreciation to the very capable and kind staff of Tidewell Hospice and Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home (Charlie 2 Unit).
Memorial services celebrating Harry’s life will be held Friday 2:00 PM, May 12, 2017 at the Heritage Oak Park Lodge, 19520 Heritage Oak Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33948. Rev. Terri Jo Crego of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte will officiate with military honors by a U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Tidewell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 www.tidewellhospice.org or to the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home, 21281 Grayton Terrace, Port Charlotte, FL 33954.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.