Obituary of John Edwin Harper

John Edwin Harper, Sr. died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at home in Syracuse, New York. John was born March 28, 1923, the son of J. Elmer and Harriet Nevel Harper. He graduated from North Syracuse High School in 1940 and CCBI in 1941. A WW II veteran, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in its 5th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron from December 1941 until his honorable discharge in May 1945. During his service he was stationed in England, North Africa, Tunisia, Italy and Sicily. As a mechanic working on P38 aircrafts, John participated in photographing the future route of the AL-CAN highway, which he revisited in 1983 with his wife, "to see if they did a good job." He pronounced it "Super." John married Lillian Mae Webster on October 27, 1945 and they have enjoyed 60 years together in their home on the south side of Syracuse. After 37 years with the New York Telephone Company as a foreman in the assignment bureau and as a member of the Staff Department, John retired in 1982. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. His hobbies included woodworking, particularly cabinetry and furniture making, and fishing on the St. Lawrence River. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and their successes in life. John is survived by his wife, Lillian; his two daughters, Dr. Diane Harper of Chuluota, Florida and Sue Ann (Lee Edward) Okoniewski of Fulton, New York; one son, John E. Jr. (Merikay) Harper of LaFayette, New York; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles E. Harper and his sister, Helen Harper. Services: Monday, September 19, 2005, 10:30 a.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Inc. Burial: Onondaga Valley Cemetery, 2500 Valley Drive, Syracuse, New York. Calling Hours: Sunday, September 18, 2005, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York. Contributions: American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons Road, East Syracuse, New York 13057.