Harold C. Fuller

Harold C. Fuller of Marietta, a Coast Guard veteran who delighted in spending time with his large and loving family and was devoted to his wife of 54 years, Mary E. Fuller, died on Sat., July 12, at WellStar Community Hospice. He was 82.

A Massachusetts native, Harry grew up in the town of Medford along the Mystic River northwest of Boston. He trained as a linotype operator in the family printing business and, during the Korean War, patrolled the North Atlantic on a Coast Guard cutter, at times traveling as far as Greenland. A Coast Guard buddy introduced Harry to Betty, then a student at St. Elizabeth’s Nursing School, in 1957. They were married in Watertown three years later.

Together, Harry and Betty worked for nearly 50 years to rear their five children, who all earned college degrees and went on to professional careers. Harry ran a variety of successful printing, retail and distribution businesses; Betty worked as a nurse for 47 years in diverse settings. Over the years, Harry and the family lived and enjoyed many good times together in Medford, Mass.; Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., and Mooresville and Greensboro, N.C.

Known for his dry wit and the Boston accent he never lost, Harry kept his family laughing until the very end. He loved being on the water and was an avid Duke University Blue Devils and music fan, with eclectic tastes ranging from classic to contemporary. But Harry, who moved with Betty to Marietta in 2006, particularly enjoyed spending time with his family, including his five children and five grandchildren, at holiday get-togethers.

Harry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Elizabeth Fuller; his daughter Elizabeth Anne Forlano and her husband Daniel Francis Forlano and their son Christopher Daniel Forlano; his youngest daughter Susan Mary Groover and her husband Joel Matthew Groover and their sons Andrew Stephen Groover and Benjamin Carter Groover; his son David Carter Fuller and his wife Dara Lindenauer Fuller and their daughters Hannah Rose Fuller and Katherine Esther Fuller; his son Mark Davis Fuller and his wife Susan D’Arcy Fuller; and his son Stephen Howard Fuller.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association, PO 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-0692. www.Heart.org/donate. Online condolences may be made at www.hmpattersoncantonhill.com.