Harold E. Jensen

Harold E. Jensen, 72, of 222 Chappell Rd. Lebanon, died Sunday evening at home, September 1, 2002. He was born in Willimantic on March 31, 1930. He spent his early years living with and helping his grandparents, Fred and Hattie Madley on their farms on Madley Rd. in Lebanon. He married Helen R. Romanik on June 28, 1950 in Bethel, Maine. He attended Windham Technical School and was a member of Local 34 Carpenter's Union retiring after 37 years. He had his own construction company and was one of the first to go all over New England putting in bulk feeders through Wirthmore Feeds. He also built many large chicken coops in the area. He reconstructed many older barns and buildings and was very talented with older buildings and building methods. Mr. Jensen was very proud of relocating and rebuilding the old school house from Rte. 87 and Rte. 289 to a family home back on his great uncles farmland on Chappell Rd. When the Lebanon Town Hall burned, town selectman Richard Cummings said "I know just the man to help" and Harold did. He always lent a hand to Boy Scout Troop 58 and was a member of the Father's Committee. He built the troop?s first dog sled using a pair of his wife's skis and the pattern he designed has been used ever since. One of his greatest joys was when his crew of helpers, his children, sat around the supper table and he asked for their work hours so he knew how much to make their paychecks out for. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, fishing and hunting with his wife and children from the Connecticut coast to Vermont and Maine. Mr. Jensen was a member of the Bozrah Fish and Game Club since the early 1960's. He took great pleasure in nature and gardening. He was a loving and patient father of nine children and husband of 52 years. He is survived by his wife Helen R. (Romanik) Jensen and children, Peter Jensen of Windham, John Jensen of Wisconsin, Robert Jensen of Lebanon, Jo-Ann Jensen of Lebanon, Eric Jensen of Plainfield, Fredrick Jensen of Brooklyn, Mary Jane Jensen of Brooklyn and Helen A. Jensen of Lebanon. He was predeceased by his son Christian Jensen. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. His family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. Willimantic on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at the funeral home Friday at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the New Lebanon Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Campership for Boy Scout Troop 58, c/o Fleet Bank, 1589 West Main St. Willimantic, CT 06226.