John “Jake” Carl Harter Sr.
June 16, 1932 – June 17, 2021
Florida, New York State
John “Jake” Carl Harter Sr. of Florida, NY went on rest on Thursday, June 17, 2021. He was 89 years old.
He was born on June 16, 1932 to the late Catherine “Katie” Jarosz and John Joseph Harter. He was born, lived and worked in Florida, NY.
Jake graduated from the SS Seward Institute. He was passionate about baseball and basketball. He coached basketball for SS Seward High School and CYO midget basketball in St. Joseph. He was one of the founders and coach of the Florida Little League program. He helped form the Orange County ASA Softball Umpires Association. Jake played baseball for the Florida American Legion team. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf.
Jake has dedicated his life to serving his family and his community. He was mayor of the village of Florida for 28 years, from March 1974 to March 2002.
He started his career as an onion grower, was hired in 1959 by the United States Post Office to be the first walking letter carrier in the village of Florida. He became the postmaster in January 1980 for the Florida Village Post Office. He was an active member of the Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church.
Jake was instrumental in building the Village of Florida Water Works, Florida Little League grounds, State Trooper Barracks, Village of Florida Public Library, Glenmere Park, and Florida Village Hall, for n ‘ to name a few. He was a member of the Florida Fire Department and a former member of the Florida Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Florida Hunting Club, the Black Bear Hunting Club and the Wood Trail Hunting Club.
Jake was a kind man dedicated to making the Florida village a better place. He was loved and adored by his family and friends.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Leona Barbara (Brunswick) Harter. Jake is survived by his six children: John Jr. (Lynn) of Florida, NY, Daniel of Florida, NY, his daughters: Patricia (Frank) Rotella of Florida, NY, Lori Augustyn of Florida, NY, Sandra “Sam” (Warren) Johnson of Sebring, FL, Wendy (Damiano) “Nick” Basil of Holly, NY; seven grandchildren: Daniel, Jr. (Ashley) from Florida, NY, Jonathan (Ali) from Florida, NY, Jeremy (Crystal) from Port Jervis, NY, John (Jack) III (Christina) from Warwick, NY, Janice (Thomas) Orr from Montgomery, NY, Jillian (Joseph) Lima from Albany, NY, and Michael Augustyn from Florida, NY; six great-grandchildren: Nathan Harter, Joey and Jason Lima, John (Jake) Harter IV and the twins, Kenneth and Kendall Orr. He is survived by his “special family” Jeannie “Sis” Langlitz; Stas and Conrad Olejniczak.
Due to the stated COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, face coverings are optional for those who have been vaccinated to enter the funeral home and the church requires masks for everyone present.
Visitations will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23 at TS Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Avenue, Fla., NY 10921. Fireworks will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral will be celebrated at 10 am on Thursday June 24th at St. Joseph’s Church, 20 Glenmere Avenue, Florida, NY 10921. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Florida, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Florida Public Library, 4 Cohen Circle, Florida, NY 10921.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of TS Purta Funeral Home; to send your condolences online, or for instructions, visit www.purtafuneralhome.com
June 16, 1932 – June 17, 2021
Florida, New York State
John “Jake” Carl Harter Sr. of Florida, NY went on rest on Thursday, June 17, 2021. He was 89 years old.
He was born on June 16, 1932 to the late Catherine “Katie” Jarosz and John Joseph Harter. He was born, lived and worked in Florida, NY.
Jake graduated from the SS Seward Institute. He was passionate about baseball and basketball. He coached basketball for SS Seward High School and CYO midget basketball in St. Joseph. He was one of the founders and coach of the Florida Little League program. He helped form the Orange County ASA Softball Umpires Association. Jake played baseball for the Florida American Legion team. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf.
Jake has dedicated his life to serving his family and his community. He was mayor of the village of Florida for 28 years, from March 1974 to March 2002.
He started his career as an onion grower, was hired in 1959 by the United States Post Office to be the first walking letter carrier in the village of Florida. He became the postmaster in January 1980 for the Florida Village Post Office. He was an active member of the Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church.
Jake was instrumental in building the Village of Florida Water Works, Florida Little League grounds, State Trooper Barracks, Village of Florida Public Library, Glenmere Park, and Florida Village Hall, for n ‘ to name a few. He was a member of the Florida Fire Department and a former member of the Florida Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Florida Hunting Club, the Black Bear Hunting Club and the Wood Trail Hunting Club.
Jake was a kind man dedicated to making the Florida village a better place. He was loved and adored by his family and friends.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Leona Barbara (Brunswick) Harter. Jake is survived by his six children: John Jr. (Lynn) of Florida, NY, Daniel of Florida, NY, his daughters: Patricia (Frank) Rotella of Florida, NY, Lori Augustyn of Florida, NY, Sandra “Sam” (Warren) Johnson of Sebring, FL, Wendy (Damiano) “Nick” Basil of Holly, NY; seven grandchildren: Daniel, Jr. (Ashley) from Florida, NY, Jonathan (Ali) from Florida, NY, Jeremy (Crystal) from Port Jervis, NY, John (Jack) III (Christina) from Warwick, NY, Janice (Thomas) Orr from Montgomery, NY, Jillian (Joseph) Lima from Albany, NY, and Michael Augustyn from Florida, NY; six great-grandchildren: Nathan Harter, Joey and Jason Lima, John (Jake) Harter IV and the twins, Kenneth and Kendall Orr. He is survived by his “special family” Jeannie “Sis” Langlitz; Stas and Conrad Olejniczak.
Due to the stated COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, face coverings are optional for those who have been vaccinated to enter the funeral home and the church requires masks for everyone present.
Visitations will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23 at TS Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Avenue, Fla., NY 10921. Fireworks will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral will be celebrated at 10 am on Thursday June 24th at St. Joseph’s Church, 20 Glenmere Avenue, Florida, NY 10921. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Florida, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Florida Public Library, 4 Cohen Circle, Florida, NY 10921.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of TS Purta Funeral Home; to send your condolences online, or for instructions, visit www.purtafuneralhome.com
Published by Times Herald-Record from June 21 to June 22, 2021.
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