Obituary Harold Salmon, Jr.

Sunrise March 23, 1938 - Sunset June 26, 2022

Weed Harold Salmon, Jr. was born on March 23, 1938, in Morningside Heights, New York.  He was the son of Weed and Ena (DeGazon) Salmon, who immigrated from St. Lucia, West Indies. He grew up with his younger sister, Valerie.  

The family moved to Dean Street, Brooklyn where Harold spent his formative years.  He grew up surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived in the neighborhood.  After three years of high school, Harold enlisted in the Navy in June 1956, serving as a Dental Technician.  He obtained his GED while in the Navy.  In June 1960, he transferred to the Reserves in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and was honorable discharged in June 1962.  

Harold went into an IBM program and went to Wall Street to get a job, and he was told they wouldn’t hire him because he was Black.  He then followed his father Weed to the United States Postal Service, where he started as a window clerk.

After returning to Brooklyn, a friend (Annette) introduced Harold to her friend in London, Lee Moi C. Lee Lum.  They corresponded (the old-fashioned way, via mail), and Lee Moi came to Brooklyn in November 1963 and married in December.  They lived with his parents in an upstairs apartment on Dean Street, where daughter Tracey Lee and then son Harold Philip were born.  In Spring 1967, they moved their young family to East 28th Street, where sons Mark and then Scott soon joined.

Harold was a devoted and loving husband, father, and son.  After his father died in 1966, he would pick his mother up from work and do her grocery shopping for her.  He fiercely protected his family and would do anything to keep them safe.  While working, providing for his family, and taking care of his mother, Harold attended night classes at Kingsboro Community College in order to further his education.  

Education was critically important to Harold.  He decided to move his family from Brooklyn to Long Island so his children could attend a public school district where a high percentage of the graduates went on to four-year college.  He researched and found a home in Wheatley Heights within the Half Hollow Hills High School district.  Wheatley Heights was far from Brooklyn in many ways, but the Salmons thrived and made vital contributions to their Long Island community.

Harold loved cooking and could turn a chuck steak into a gourmet meal!  He enjoyed “doctoring” recipes to his liking, and there was always an abundance of food in the fridge in case someone stopped by the house.  Harold enjoyed hosting his family and friends for Thanksgiving and summer cookouts.  He loved celebrating his children’s life events (birthdays, first communions, graduations, etc.) with big parties.  Lee Moi stayed at home, and the Salmon house was the neighborhood hang-out for his kids and their friends.

In Wheatley Heights, the family was active in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal RC Church in Wyandanch, NY.  Harold joined the Knights of Columbus, an organization of Catholic men putting their faith into action.  Harold was also involved in the Wheatley Heights Civics association, where he advocated for his community.

Harold continued working at the US Postal Service as he slowly progressed up the ladder despite the prejudice and discrimination he faced along the way.  He continued working hard, taking courses to improve his knowledge base, and eventually became a supervisor in the Procurement Department.  Despite the difficulties of working, commuting to NYC, and raising his family, Harold continued his own education by taking night classes and graduating from SUNY Farmingdale in 1982.  He wanted to be an example for his kids of the importance of education.

Harold retired from the US Postal Service at the age of 53, and in 1994 Harold and Lee Moi moved to Spring Hill, Florida.  They enjoy what Florida offers – Disney, cruises, and shopping (and no snow!).

Harold was a dedicated husband and father and had a great sense of humor.  Harold was an avid reader, CNN watcher, and traveler (18 cruises).  Harold loved shopping and finding a bargain.  Lee Moi never had to go shopping.  He was very adept at using his coupons, especially when a BOGO was involved!  As Harold’s health declined and he could no longer physically go shopping, he loved to use the Amazon App on his iPhone, so he could continue shopping.  Packages arrived at the house almost daily.

Harold transitioned from this life on June 26, surrounded by his family.  His dignity, quick wit, and sharp intellect leave beautiful memories to be cherished.  Harold is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Lee Moi, children Tracey Salmon (Loyston) Smith, Philip (Lisa), Mark, Scott (Kelly), brother-in-law Kenneth Standard, and five granddaughters Avery, Megan, Gabriella, Miranda, and Jessye, sister-in-law Phyllis Cruickshank, and a host of nieces and nephews.  His parents, Ena and Weed Salmon, his sister Valerie Standard, and his sister-in-law Joyce Prevatt Richardson predeceased him.  Harold will be forever cherished in our hearts and on our minds.

Reposing Friday 10 am -12 noon at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Interment to follow at St. Raymond’s Cemetery.

The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a charitable donation to HPH Hospice in Harold’s memory, 

https://lifepathhospice.chaptershealth.org/HPHGeneralDonation