Harry Frederick Gildea

Harry Frederick Gildea, 80, of Astor, FL and formerly of Orange City, FL and Hollidaysburg, PA went to meet the Lord on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 2:40 am, after a brief and heroic battle with cancer.

He was born March 2, 1943, in Baltimore MD, the son of John Cletus and Beatrice (Sell) Gildea. He grew up in Hollidaysburg in a large family of 8. He met Patricia Jo Walsh at moonlight bowling and they were married on February 27, 1965. They were happily married for 50 years and enjoyed traveling together in their later years. He worked as an accountant for the PA Railroad and then Butcher and Hart in Altoona, and then at Water Bonnet MFG in Florida before retiring after 38 years as their CFO. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Debary, Fl.

He is survived by his beloved daughters, Cheryl Ann (Darren) Sabo and Jacqueline Marie (Tim Field) Gildea, three granddaughters, Katherine (Hannah) Atkissabo, Kristen (Garrison) Reeves, and Karolyn (Stefan) Biddinger, great grand-daughter, Ellery Jo Reeves, and a great grand-daughter on the way. He is also survived by siblings: Dorothy Gerhard, Helen Hoover, Nancy Jula, Margaret (Peg) Gildea, and Patrick Gildea and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Patricia Walsh Gildea, and siblings John C. Gildea and Mary Carolyn Steinbeiser.

Harry had a deep love of trains that began at 8 years old when he received his first train set from his father. He loved working on his train displays, spending many hours making everything look just right. He also loved reading, history, long walks, golf, cruising, exploring the United States, boating on the river, riding his burnt orange Spyder motorcycle, having family porch time, bingo at the VFW with “all his girls”, and traveling in the RVs with his daughters, sister Peg, and numerous friends. He enjoyed spending time with his siblings and had a fun and welcoming personality that made everyone feel comfortable. He always put his family first, and rarely complained about anything. “Thanks for the Day” Dad; you are forever in our hearts.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 26 Dogwood Trail., Debary, FL on Saturday, April 6 at 10 am. Reception in the Parish Hall to follow. Internment for immediate family only at Deltona Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank those at the Halifax Hospice Center in Orange City for their help during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to the Arthritis Foundation (1355 Peachtree St. NE Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309) or the American Cancer Society (P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741).