Harold S. King of Bridgehampton dies at 88

Harold S. King

Harold S. King of Bridgehampton died on August 30 at his home. The master of ceremonies for the Memorial Day services in Bridgehampton for more than four decades, he was 88.

Born October 3, 1921, in Amagansett to Marietta (née Abrams) and Abner King, he was one of 13 children.

He served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant of the Signal Corps during World War II, from January 15, 1942, to October 9, 1945. He saw action in battles at Guadalcanal, New Guinea, the Northern Solomons, and Southern Philippines.

Upon returning from military duty, he worked for building contractors Fred Corwith of Southampton and William G. Thompson of Bridgehampton. In addition, he was a member of the Amagansett Fire Department, making his way through the ranks to first assistant chief.

In 1951, he married Betty W. Barnes and moved to Bridgehampton, where he joined the Bridgehampton Fire Department, volunteering for 15 years. A commander of the American Legion Nathaniel Howell Topping Post 580 until his death, he put flags on veterans’ graves and along Main Street for Memorial Day and for various holidays, making the rounds of four cemeteries in Bridgehampton and Sagaponack to complete this task.

Raised on a farm where he had to get up early to milk the cows, he gladly started each morning in Bridgehampton at the Candy Kitchen, opening the doors at 4:30 a.m. for the owners, starting the coffee and bundling the newspapers, just for the joy of doing it, said his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Grodski.

He loved to play softball and was nicknamed “Stingy” on the field, playing in Amagansett for many years. He also liked to play golf.

He is survived by two daughters, Gale Michne of Sag Harbor and Mary Elizabeth Grodski of Bridgehampton; two sisters, Caroline Griffiths of East Hampton and Sarah Withy of North Carolina; two granddaughters, Lisa Houston of East Hampton and Amanda Fetterolf of Washington, D.C.; three grandsons, Peter Michne of Southampton, Jeff Michne of Rosendale and Donald J. Grodski of Southampton; two great-granddaughters, Abigail Houston of East Hampton and Phoebe Fetterolf of Washington, D.C.; three great-grandsons, Gavin Michne of Southampton, Samuel Houston of East Hampton and Christopher Bordeaux of New York City; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife in 1991.

Visitation was scheduled for Wednesday, September 1, from 2 to 4 p.m., with American Legion services at 2:30 p.m., and from 7 to 9 p.m., with Bridgehampton Fire Department services at 7:30 p.m., at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A graveside service, officiated by the Reverend Elaine Rhodes, pastor of the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, will be held on Thursday, September 2, at 11 a.m., at Edgewood Cemetery in East Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or Dominican Sisters Family Health Service, P.O. Box 1028, Hampton Bays, NY 11946-0404 would be appreciated by the family.