May 24, 2012       

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Kenneth J. Harblin Jr., 85, of 19723 Hillside Dr., passed Wednesday, May 23, at his home surrounded by his loving family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Born Feb. 8, 1927, in Watertown, son of the late Kenneth J. and Ethel Sawyer Harblin Sr., he graduated in 1945 from Syracuse Central High School.

He entered the Army on July 23,1945, and served with the 813th Trans Corp Car Co. He was honorably discharged as Private First Class on Dec. 30, 1946 and received the Army Occupation Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

Upon returning home he attended Lemoyne College and began working for B-H Transportation Co. owned by his father from 1946 until 1965. He then worked for Purcell White Co., in Syracuse, until spring of 1967 at which time he purchased Harblin Motor Sales VW on outer Washington Streey, Watertown. He owned and operated the company from 1967 until 1977. He opened Harblin Auto Sales in 1977 until 1980, then turned the property into Harby’s Hots in 1980 which he operated for 27 years. Upon his retirement in July 2007, his daughter has continued the business.

Mr. Harblin was a former member of the Black River Valley Club, Ives Hill Country Club, Moose Pond Hunting Club and Town Council member for the Town of Watertown.

He married Antoinette T. “Toni” DeLongo on April 26, 1952, at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Solvay, N.Y.

Among his survivors are loving wife of 60 years, Antoinette T. “Toni” Harblin, Watertown; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Steven J. and Jennifer S. Harblin, Kelso, Wa., Jeffrey J. Harblin and his fiancée, Lynda Watts, Baldwinsville; a daughter and her husbamd, Susan A. and Gregory A. Dandrow, Watertown; a stepbrother and his wife, Thomas and Dorothea Harblin, Clinton, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Alexandra Dandrow, Christopher Dandrow, Kenneth Harblin, Amelia Harblin; three great-grandchildren; and their dog, Blitzen.

A sister, Betty LaBeef and his stepmother, Louise Harblin, both passed before him.

At the request of the family, there will be no calling hours. 

A funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Robinson, pastor, officiating. 

Entombment with military honors will follow at Glenwood Mausoleum.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County or to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Arrangements are with Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, Watertown.






Information provided by Hart & Bruce Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.