Harry Robert Jagodzinski

Harry Robert (Bob) Jagodzinski
 
Harry Robert (Bob) Jagodzinski, 97, loving husband and father, died peacefully at Nightingale Nursing Center in Erie on Sept. 29, 2021, after a brief illness.
 
Harry is reunited in heaven with the love of his life, Dolores, his wife of 70 years.
 
Harry was a man of deep and humble faith and was an active, longtime member of St. Joseph Church.
 
Harry always had a song on his lips and in his heart for everyone, especially Dolores. Friends and family have fond memories of his warm sense of humor and his charitable spirit. He always expressed his deep appreciation for kindness shown to him, and reflected it back tenfold.
 
He was a commercial artist/ graphic designer by profession, and in his free time created many works in oil paints and other mediums. His artwork won many awards. He also had a lifelong love for carpentry, gardening, bowling and the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
 
Harry was born Sept. 21, 1924 in Erie, Pa., son of Frank E. and Sophia (Symanowicz) Jagodzinski.
 
He was baptized at Holy Trinity Church, and attended grade school at St. John the Baptist, and Wilson Jr. High. He graduated from Erie Technical High School where he majored in art under the instruction of Joseph Plavcan.
 
In 1943, Harry enlisted in the Army, and trained in the air defense artillery. He was deployed to Europe and served in four major World War II campaigns in Gen. Patton’s Third Army: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was promoted to staff sergeant, and served as a gunnery crew chief.
 
In later years, Harry recounted his experiences on the Normandy beachhead in the wake of the D-Day landings, witnessing the liberation of Paris, and seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge. Harry also recalled watching as American engineers destroyed the giant swastika on top of the Nazi rally grounds outside Nuremberg, Germany, at the end of the war.
 
After his honorable discharge following World War II, Harry earned a diploma from The Art Institute at Pittsburgh in 1948. He worked at National Service Engraving company as an advertising artist, then joined the American Sterilizer Co. in the graphics department, retiring in 1985.
 
He married Dolores (Kostek) on Aug. 6, 1949, and they raised a family of six children. They were lifelong members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Erie.
 
Harry is survived by children James (Mary K), Christine Anderson, Rosanne (John) Jaworski, Thomas (Darlene), and Robert (Kristin).
 
Preceded in death by wife Dolores, son John, brothers Frank and Joseph Jagodzinski and son-in-law Larry Anderson.
 
Harry was the loving and caring grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
 
He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
 
Harry's family offers deep thanks to Nightingale (formerly St. Mary's East) for the devoted care he received.
 
Friends may call at the Carl A. Slomski & Son Funeral Home Inc. 2101 Ash St. on Monday from 4 p.m. to 7.p.m. and may attend a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church Bread of Life on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
 
Private burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
 
The family requests that everyone attending please wear a mask.
 
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church Bread of Life 147 West 24th St.  Erie PA 16502 or to Disabled American Veterans of Erie Chapter 73 P.O. Box 3415 Erie PA 16503.
 
Please send condolences to www.slomskifuneralhome.com.
 
 

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