CHARTIER, Harold Allen

‘Harry’ Chartier Baker City, 1948-2014 Harold Allen “Harry” Chartier, 65, of Baker City, died Feb. 3, 2014, at his residence. There will be a celebration of Harry’s life and potluck dinner at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Annie’s Cafe in Richland. Harry was born on Oct. 4, 1948, at Boise to Sidney and Maebell Pond Chartier. In 1978 Harry moved to Alaska to work as an engineer. He married Mary Soltis and they moved to Sitka in 1981 to raise their family. For nearly 20 years, Harry worked as a building official with the city of Sitka. He was proud to serve the community he loved with fairness and integrity. He approached his job with a heart of service and a can-do attitude, family members said. Harry was a personality. He had a way of walking into a room bringing cheer in right behind him. When he would meet a new person, he would look them in the eye, find an authentic connection and leave that person feeling special and truly seen. Magically, Harry could do this by just sitting alone behind a microphone with his friends (his listeners) of his KCAW radio show “Coming up Country,” a show he hosted every Friday night for many years. Harry also helped build community through his volunteering with Southeast Regional Emergency Medical Services (SEREMS). He cared about people in their time of need and was there for Southeast Alaska. Harry’s bones needed some sun, so after retiring from the city 10 years ago, he headed for Eastern Oregon. Many benefited from the gifts of rocks, pebbles and arrowheads he would find. He had a smile for everyone he encountered and had two green thumbs on two “helping hands.” Harry was a very patient man, especially while fishing. Harry respected peace and took time to touch many hearts. His generosity, enthusiasm, strength through adversity and genuine love of life will not soon be forgotten, his family said. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harold Allen Chartier memorial fund through Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, OR 97814. Baker City Herald