It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and brother, Harold Houston Ramsey. He died at home in Guilford, CT and went to be with his Lord on December 30, 2024.

Harold was born November 27, 1931, at the home of his grandparents Clifford and Effie Ramsey in glen rock, NJ, to Marjorie and Justin Ramsey. He graduated in 1953 from Stevens Institute of technology with an ME degree. He worked as an engineer at the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, NY until his induction into the United Sates Army in 1954. He was honorably discharged in February 1956. After his military service, Harold Joined John Royal & Sons in Paterson, NJ and became one of several third generation Ramseys to work for the family business. Harold started as an engineer; in time his job evolved into selling the company's capital equipment until his retirement.

As his father before him, Harold had a passion for railroads, which certainly influenced his decision to accept a job at American Locomotive, his first job after college. He began as a junior engineer trainee and looked forward to taking one of the new model demonstrator locomotives out on the tracks for potential customers to examine. His two years of service in the Army ended this dream. He knew the names and routes of all the railroads running in the USA. He also knew the names and routes of railroads that had been abandoned. One of his favorite pastimes was to plan a trip with Judith to an abandoned site to study its history. Their trips often took them to remote locations all over the Northeast.

Harold had a passion for music and loved gilbert & Sullivan operas and choral music. He and Judith took part in a masterful spoof of the "Pirates of Penzance"-itself a parody of grand opera-arranged by the choir director sand performed by the choir at the North Guilford Congregational Church to the great delight of their audience. As recently as October 2024 Harold and Judith called his brother Jack and sang their own personal rendition of "Happy Birthday" to him. In early years Harold shared his music with his children, humming an aria from an opera he loved to quiet a colicky baby and tuning in to programs on classical music on NPR. His love for music and his strong tenor voice made him a much appreciated member of the choir of the North Guilford Congregational Church, where he was a member for 42 years. He served the church also as a deacon and as a member of the finance committee.

Harold's children fondly recall his two other great interests: sailing and cheering on the New York Rangers. They all spent many hours each spring helping to sand and paint his sailboat Arabella. Their reward was to be taken on board for enjoyable jaunts around the Thimble Islands in this craft which was his pride and joy. He continued to sail while in his 80's. With the help of a handgrip, designed and fashioned by a friend, he carried the dingy from the car himself, eased the dingy into the water, and rowed out with his sailbag to board Arabella. Harold, his children, and occasionally his niece Karen attended New York Rangers games and New Haven Nighthawks hockey games, watched countless games on television, commiserated with one another over losses. And always held the hope that "this would be the year".

Harold is survived by his wife, Judith Andrews, his brother John Clifford Ramsey (Paulette), his brother Calvin Ramsey's widow, B; his children Sharon Ramsey Bremante (Andrew), Janet Ramsey McPhee, Craig Houston Ramsey (Charlene), and Heath Christopher Ramsey (Christopher Leazer); and stepchildren Elizabeth Andrews Freytag (Ronald) and Stephanie Andrews. He leaves also grandchildren Anthony Bramante (Carolyn), Joseph Bramante (Ingrida), James Bramante (Grace Chua), Rosemary Bramante (Christian Velez), Julia Bramante, Catherine Bramante, Megan McPhee (Joshua Leland), Thomas McPhee, and Deirdre Ramsey; step-grandchildren Gerard Downs (Catherine), Christoher Downs (Stephanie), and Austin Freytag; also seven great grandchildren and many loving nephews and nieces.

Harold was predeceased by his parents, Marjorie and Justin Ramsey, his brother Calvin Edward Ramsey, and his infant grandson Andrew Justin McPhee.

Harold or Dad or Grandpa, as he was called by his family, had many endearing qualities. His dry sense of humor livened up gatherings. And he had a quiet, understated way of showing his affection. His wife Judith has noted the punctuality was one of his virtues. As a salesman for many years, he respected his customers and was never late to an appointment. When he planned to travel to a new location, he studied road maps meticulously and memorized routes since his driving preceded the invention of GPS. He understood the workings of things in this world. He knew that a machine would not run forever, and he understood our mortality. When he sensed the Lord was beckoning him to return home, he did not delay. He had long anticipated this appointment and did his best to convey this urgency to those he spoke with at the end. He was determined to begin his final journey. As he often set sails on his small boat, so he set the course for his heavenly destination. He arrived at his appointed time.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, at 11am in the North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Road, Guilford followed by burial with Military Honors in the adjacent cemetery. A reception will follow in the Church's Fellowship Hall. Family and friends are invited to share memories of Harold at this time.

The family asks that, in lieu of sending flowers, guests who desire to honor Harold's memory consider sending a memorial gift to the North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Rd, Guilford, CT 06437 or to one of the two charities named below:

The Crosby Fund for Haitian Education which was founded by friends and members of the North Guilford Congregational Church. For 20 years the founders have raised money to provide an education for Haitian children through all levels. Every dollar given is used for education. Website: https://crosbyfund.org The Crosby Fund for Haitian Education, PO Box 954. Old Lyme, CT 06371.

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, PO Box 250, Clarksburg, OH. The Missionaries are personal friends of Harold and Judith and have brought the Faith, clothing, and aid and comfort to people in the poorest villages of Africa, the Philippines, and Haiti for decades. They are often called to serve in the aftermath of disasters in the continental United States and in countries abroad. Their trips have included emergency missions to victims of these disasters: Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi (2005), the earthquake in Haiti (2010), the earthquake and tsunami in Japan (2011), hurricane Irene in New York City (2011), Hurricane Sandy (2012), hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana (2017) and Hurricane Helene in North Carolina (2024)