Harold E. Berlind

Palm Coast, Florida HAROLD E. BERLIND Harold (Hal) Edgar Berlind, of Chocorua, NH and Palm Coast, FL passed away peacefully on Aug 6, 2015 in Palm Coast. He was born Nov 21, 1931, in Tyngsboro, MA to Edgar & Mildred Berlind. Hal was raised in East Northfield, MA and attended the Mount Hermon School. Lying about his age, he joined the United States Marine Corp. He proudly served as a Telephone Lineman while in combat in Korea. He was a survivor of the Chosin Resevoir (The Chosen Few) where they were surrounded by enemy Chinese, endured sub-zero temperatures and suffered severe frost bite. He ended his service where he started - at Paris Island as a Drill Instructor and achieved the rank of Staff Sargent. After his service, Hal attended Northeastern University studying finance. He married the love of his life Leona (White) Berlind on August 14, 1954. Hal came from a humble childhood and rose through the ranks of the finance industry working for finance agencies, banks and most notably was President and CEO of IONA Savings Bank in Tilton, NH for many years. He was stricken with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 42. He defied doctors who predicted he would be confined to a wheelchair. He remained active for the next 40 years and found a way to play golf. Before arthritis he enjoyed ice fishing and hunting. Family was Hal's passion. He is survived by his loving wife Lee of 61 years, his son Bryan and his wife Pam of Chocorua; and his daughter Lori (Berlind) Groleau of Laconia. In addition Hal leaves five grandchildren: Brett Groleau and wife Jessica, Matthew Berlind and wife Erin, Christine Berlind and life-partner Anthony Kinney, Sean Groleau and wife Sarah, and Benjamin Groleau. Hal is also survived by 7 1/2 great grandchildren. Hal also leaves his sister Ann Turner and was predeceased by his sister Marion West. The family expresses profound gratitude to the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House of Flagler/Palm Coast. On Aug 24, 2015, Hal's family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, 584 West Main St. in Tilton, NH, a service will be at 11 AM. A gathering will follow at the Black Swan Inn, 354 W. Main St., Tilton. Interment with honors will be held at 2:30 pm at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, NH. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Arthritis National Research Foundation, 6 Chenell Dr.# 260, Concord, NH 03301 ( http://www.curearthritis.org/ ) or the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House. ( https://www.floridahospital.com/hospice ).