Harold "Ike" Bozarth Sr.

Harold “Ike” Bozarth Sr. of Mount Holly, died peacefully on February 15th. He was 92. Ike shed his blood for his country and dedicated his life to his family and community. He joined the US Army in 1943 and served in the European theater as part of the 90th Division, 357th Regiment’s D-Day operation in Normandy. After being wounded twice he received two Purple Hearts and was honorably discharged as a Private First-Class. For over 50 years he was a pillar of the Fire Service in Burlington County, serving as Chief of the Mount Holly Fire Department and Chief Engineer of the Relief Fire Company. Ike was also instrumental in founding the Burlington County Fire Academy in Westampton. He was a Life Member of Relief Fire Company in Mount Holly, Life Member of Smithville Fire Company in Eastampton and a member of the Lumberton Fire Company and Westampton Fire Department. Ike (also known as Ikey) was a master mechanic and master welder, retiring from Lumberton Township Public Works in 1990. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trips down the shore and visiting family and friends. He could be found most days, even until recently, tinkering in his garage and working on anything with an engine. Born and raised in Mount Holly he was the youngest of 11 children and a lifelong resident. Ike was a dedicated, hardworking man who loved his family. He was the devoted husband of the late Mary Virginia (Buccello) Bozarth and also preceded in death by his 10 siblings. Pop Pop loved spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever they would visit. He loved telling stories about firefighting, surviving the war and growing up in Mount Holly. He will be greatly missed by his family and the entire community. Ike is survived by his children, Harold Jr. (Linda) of Westampton; John of Delran; Mary Virginia Carty (Richard) of Mt. Holly and Thomas Sr. (Jane) of Mt. Holly. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren Sue Lynn Staff, Tami Granata, Michalle Pasquarella, Steven Carty, Jason Carty, Shaun Bozarth, Timothy Bozarth, Kristen Bozarth, Adam Bozarth, Jonathan Bozarth, Rebecca Kline, Thomas Bozarth Jr., Megan Bozarth, Benjamin Bozarth and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 10 am Monday in the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mt. Holly, where friends may visit with the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until time of service Monday. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. Andrew's Cemetery located Pine Street Mount Holly. Contributions in Ike’s memory may be made to Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053.

Harold "Ike" Bozarth Sr.

January 6, 1925 - February 15, 2017