Harold V.A. Wait

Harold Van Alen Wait, Jr. of Cranford, NJ and Saltaire, NY died peacefully surrounded by his family at Overlook Hospital, Summit, NJ on June 19, 2009, following complications from pneumonia. Born in Glen Cove, NY in 1927, Harold served in the U.S. Navy as a radar operator from 1944 to 1946 and graduated from Adelphi University in 1949. He worked at Chevron Oil Company in Perth Amboy, NJ, in accounting, personnel and labor relations from 1949 until his retirement.A resourceful man, Harold always said that building their summer home at Saltaire, a family effort, was his happiest memory. There he enjoyed fishing, crabbing and clamming and active participation in the Saltaire Citizens' Advisory Association. His keen interest in local and national governance resulted in many letters of concern to newspapers and local officials. As one of the leaders of the Eddymont Civic Association in Cranford, he was able to preserve from development a tract of land ultimately used in Cranford's flood control program.Harold was the son of Harold Van Alen and Marion Stringham Wait of Glen Cove. Surviving are his loving wife of 59 years, Nancy (Braynard), beloved children Susan, Marjorie, Judy and John, seven grandchildren and one great grandson. He is survived also by a sister, Elizabeth W. Geidel, a brother, Irving Stringham Wait, and by a host of other family members and friends.A memorial service will take place on June 27 at 12:00 noon at the Matinecock Friends Meeting, 267 Duck Pond Rd., Locust Valley, NY, following private interment at the Matinecock Burial Ground. In lieu of flowers Harold's family suggests a donation to the American Friends Service Committee, http://www.afsc.org/ 1502 Cherry Street, Phila. PA 19102.