Joseph Harnett

Joseph D. Harnett died peacefully in his home at South Franklin Circle in Chagrin Falls on Thursday, February 28 surrounded by his family. He was 95. Born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1917, Joe grew up in Nutley, New Jersey. He graduated from Nutley High School and received an Engineering degree from Purdue University in 1939. He married the late Wilhelmina Nordstrom in 1941, and moved to Cleveland where they started their family. Mr. Harnett began a long career with The Standard Oil Company, Ohio Sohio in 1941 as an engineer in the transportation department. He rose to become President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Sohio before retiring in 1980. While at Sohio, he served as chairman of the committee that oversaw the Alaska Pipeline construction. During his career he also served as a Director and Chairman of the American Petroleum Institute. In 1958, Mr. Harnett's wife passed away and in 1964 he married Nancy Beam Bradford. He and his wife Nancy enjoyed an active life together. They built a home in Bermuda where Mr. Harnett had many family connections. In 1979, they joined the Lost Tree Club in North Palm Beach, Florida where they resided seasonally for over 30 years. During his time in Florida, Mr. Harnett was instrumental in the establishment of The Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation. In Cleveland, Mr. Harnett was an active board member with Vocational Guidance Services and University Hospitals. He was a long time member of The Country Club and The Pepper Pike Club. He was an avid sailor at the Mentor Harbor Yacht Club where he enjoyed considerable success in competitive offshore racing on Lake Erie aboard his sailboat, Stratagem. In addition to his loving wife Nancy, Mr. Harnett is survived by five sons and a daughter: Gordon Harnett Mary of Pepper Pike, OH, Linda Philips J. Christopher of Charlestown, RI, Ralph Harnett Sarah of Los Altos Hills, CA, David Harnett Diane of South Russell, OH, Charles Bradford Leslie of Larchmont, NY, Preston Bradford Allison of Beverly Farms, MA. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. He will be forever remembered for his care and love for his family. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 4:00 PM at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Vocational Guidance Services, 2239 E.55th Street, Cleveland, OH 44103 or to The Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation, 11520 Lost Tree Way, North Palm Beach, FL 33408 in memory of Joseph D. Harnett would be welcomed. The Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation 11520 Lost Tree Way North Palm Beach, FL 33408 561 622-3780 www.losttreefoundation.org Vocational Guidance Services Adam Ross, Development Dir. 2239 E 55th St Cleveland, OH 44103 216 881-6014 http://www.vgsjob.org /


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