MARBLEHEAD - One of the community's most respected police officers for many years, Patrolman Harry C. Christensen, 60, of 143 Elm St., died Monday at his home.
Office Christensen, who patroled the downtown waterfront section for many years and was viewed by many as one of the town's more colorful personalities, was felled by a stroke in May, 1981, and hospitalized for many months prior to his retirement in September, 1981.
George M. Girard, retired police chief under whom Christensen served for many years, today lauded the veteran patrolman as "one of the best." Girard said Christensen never refused an assignment and was always willing to tackle any job, regardless of the difficulty that might be involved. "He was one helluva police officer in my book," Girard added.
The popular police officer won himself a reputation as a skunk handler over the years and when residents found themselves faced with a skunk problem at their residence, Harry almost always handled the calls for assistance. He was an avid sportsman and an accomplished game hunter and fisherman.
Over the years, Christensen won several department citations for meritorious service to law enforcement and the community. He was active many years with the town's young people and more than once counseled youngsters who had become involved with the law.
He was appointed a permanent police officer in February, 1953 and served continuously until his illness forced his retirement in 1981. He was an "old school" police officer and was noted for having ruled the downtown waterfront beat with complete respect for the law.
Christensen served in the Navy as a motor machinist's mate, second class, from August, 1942, to November, 1945. He was an active member of the Marblehead Police Association, Chaplain Lyman Rollins Post 2004, VFW, and the Gerry 5 VFA.
When Christensen was stricken with a stroke, he was forced to spend several months in Salem Hospital, and later Shaughnessy Rehabilitation Hospital. His police colleagues and legion of friends in the community initiated a special fund to help meet the popular patrolman's medical expenses.
Christensen was born in Marblehead and spent his life here. He was the husband of Audrey L. (Mace) Christensen and son of the late Harry M. and Amy (Snow) Christensen. He was a graduate of Marblehead High School.
Surviving, besides his wife, are two sons, Harry C. Christensen Jr. and Henry V. Christensen, both of Marblehead; three daughters, Mrs. Jeffrey S. (Laura M.) Best, Mrs. Allan D. (Rae A.) Weed, Jr. and Mrs. Mark D. (Linda M.) Mills, all of Marblehead; a brother, Ernest Christensen of Whittier, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Robert (Marie) McArthur; and five grandsons.
Funeral service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm St.
(Published Tuesday, June 1, 1982 in the Salem Evening News)
*****
In 1936, Harry Christensen was one of six boys from Marblehead who constructed and presented a model of the 1936 Presidental vacation schooner Sewanna to President Roosevelt at his estate in Hyde Park, N.Y. The other five boys were Donald Hamson, Stanley Atkins, Edward Creighton, Gibson Polley, Eugene Amerault (all aged 14) and Robert Nichols (aged 13). Mr. Roosevelt was himself a builder and collector of model boats and was proud to add the new model to his collection.
Office Christensen, who patroled the downtown waterfront section for many years and was viewed by many as one of the town's more colorful personalities, was felled by a stroke in May, 1981, and hospitalized for many months prior to his retirement in September, 1981.
George M. Girard, retired police chief under whom Christensen served for many years, today lauded the veteran patrolman as "one of the best." Girard said Christensen never refused an assignment and was always willing to tackle any job, regardless of the difficulty that might be involved. "He was one helluva police officer in my book," Girard added.
The popular police officer won himself a reputation as a skunk handler over the years and when residents found themselves faced with a skunk problem at their residence, Harry almost always handled the calls for assistance. He was an avid sportsman and an accomplished game hunter and fisherman.
Over the years, Christensen won several department citations for meritorious service to law enforcement and the community. He was active many years with the town's young people and more than once counseled youngsters who had become involved with the law.
He was appointed a permanent police officer in February, 1953 and served continuously until his illness forced his retirement in 1981. He was an "old school" police officer and was noted for having ruled the downtown waterfront beat with complete respect for the law.
Christensen served in the Navy as a motor machinist's mate, second class, from August, 1942, to November, 1945. He was an active member of the Marblehead Police Association, Chaplain Lyman Rollins Post 2004, VFW, and the Gerry 5 VFA.
When Christensen was stricken with a stroke, he was forced to spend several months in Salem Hospital, and later Shaughnessy Rehabilitation Hospital. His police colleagues and legion of friends in the community initiated a special fund to help meet the popular patrolman's medical expenses.
Christensen was born in Marblehead and spent his life here. He was the husband of Audrey L. (Mace) Christensen and son of the late Harry M. and Amy (Snow) Christensen. He was a graduate of Marblehead High School.
Surviving, besides his wife, are two sons, Harry C. Christensen Jr. and Henry V. Christensen, both of Marblehead; three daughters, Mrs. Jeffrey S. (Laura M.) Best, Mrs. Allan D. (Rae A.) Weed, Jr. and Mrs. Mark D. (Linda M.) Mills, all of Marblehead; a brother, Ernest Christensen of Whittier, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Robert (Marie) McArthur; and five grandsons.
Funeral service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm St.
(Published Tuesday, June 1, 1982 in the Salem Evening News)
*****
In 1936, Harry Christensen was one of six boys from Marblehead who constructed and presented a model of the 1936 Presidental vacation schooner Sewanna to President Roosevelt at his estate in Hyde Park, N.Y. The other five boys were Donald Hamson, Stanley Atkins, Edward Creighton, Gibson Polley, Eugene Amerault (all aged 14) and Robert Nichols (aged 13). Mr. Roosevelt was himself a builder and collector of model boats and was proud to add the new model to his collection.
MARBLEHEAD - One of the community's most respected police officers for many years, Patrolman Harry C. Christensen, 60, of 143 Elm St., died Monday at his home.
Office Christensen, who patroled the downtown waterfront section for many years and was viewed by many as one of the town's more colorful personalities, was felled by a stroke in May, 1981, and hospitalized for many months prior to his retirement in September, 1981.
George M. Girard, retired police chief under whom Christensen served for many years, today lauded the veteran patrolman as "one of the best." Girard said Christensen never refused an assignment and was always willing to tackle any job, regardless of the difficulty that might be involved. "He was one helluva police officer in my book," Girard added.
The popular police officer won himself a reputation as a skunk handler over the years and when residents found themselves faced with a skunk problem at their residence, Harry almost always handled the calls for assistance. He was an avid sportsman and an accomplished game hunter and fisherman.
Over the years, Christensen won several department citations for meritorious service to law enforcement and the community. He was active many years with the town's young people and more than once counseled youngsters who had become involved with the law.
He was appointed a permanent police officer in February, 1953 and served continuously until his illness forced his retirement in 1981. He was an "old school" police officer and was noted for having ruled the downtown waterfront beat with complete respect for the law.
Christensen served in the Navy as a motor machinist's mate, second class, from August, 1942, to November, 1945. He was an active member of the Marblehead Police Association, Chaplain Lyman Rollins Post 2004, VFW, and the Gerry 5 VFA.
When Christensen was stricken with a stroke, he was forced to spend several months in Salem Hospital, and later Shaughnessy Rehabilitation Hospital. His police colleagues and legion of friends in the community initiated a special fund to help meet the popular patrolman's medical expenses.
Christensen was born in Marblehead and spent his life here. He was the husband of Audrey L. (Mace) Christensen and son of the late Harry M. and Amy (Snow) Christensen. He was a graduate of Marblehead High School.
Surviving, besides his wife, are two sons, Harry C. Christensen Jr. and Henry V. Christensen, both of Marblehead; three daughters, Mrs. Jeffrey S. (Laura M.) Best, Mrs. Allan D. (Rae A.) Weed, Jr. and Mrs. Mark D. (Linda M.) Mills, all of Marblehead; a brother, Ernest Christensen of Whittier, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Robert (Marie) McArthur; and five grandsons.
Funeral service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm St.
(Published Tuesday, June 1, 1982 in the Salem Evening News)
*****
In 1936, Harry Christensen was one of six boys from Marblehead who constructed and presented a model of the 1936 Presidental vacation schooner Sewanna to President Roosevelt at his estate in Hyde Park, N.Y. The other five boys were Donald Hamson, Stanley Atkins, Edward Creighton, Gibson Polley, Eugene Amerault (all aged 14) and Robert Nichols (aged 13). Mr. Roosevelt was himself a builder and collector of model boats and was proud to add the new model to his collection.
Office Christensen, who patroled the downtown waterfront section for many years and was viewed by many as one of the town's more colorful personalities, was felled by a stroke in May, 1981, and hospitalized for many months prior to his retirement in September, 1981.
George M. Girard, retired police chief under whom Christensen served for many years, today lauded the veteran patrolman as "one of the best." Girard said Christensen never refused an assignment and was always willing to tackle any job, regardless of the difficulty that might be involved. "He was one helluva police officer in my book," Girard added.
The popular police officer won himself a reputation as a skunk handler over the years and when residents found themselves faced with a skunk problem at their residence, Harry almost always handled the calls for assistance. He was an avid sportsman and an accomplished game hunter and fisherman.
Over the years, Christensen won several department citations for meritorious service to law enforcement and the community. He was active many years with the town's young people and more than once counseled youngsters who had become involved with the law.
He was appointed a permanent police officer in February, 1953 and served continuously until his illness forced his retirement in 1981. He was an "old school" police officer and was noted for having ruled the downtown waterfront beat with complete respect for the law.
Christensen served in the Navy as a motor machinist's mate, second class, from August, 1942, to November, 1945. He was an active member of the Marblehead Police Association, Chaplain Lyman Rollins Post 2004, VFW, and the Gerry 5 VFA.
When Christensen was stricken with a stroke, he was forced to spend several months in Salem Hospital, and later Shaughnessy Rehabilitation Hospital. His police colleagues and legion of friends in the community initiated a special fund to help meet the popular patrolman's medical expenses.
Christensen was born in Marblehead and spent his life here. He was the husband of Audrey L. (Mace) Christensen and son of the late Harry M. and Amy (Snow) Christensen. He was a graduate of Marblehead High School.
Surviving, besides his wife, are two sons, Harry C. Christensen Jr. and Henry V. Christensen, both of Marblehead; three daughters, Mrs. Jeffrey S. (Laura M.) Best, Mrs. Allan D. (Rae A.) Weed, Jr. and Mrs. Mark D. (Linda M.) Mills, all of Marblehead; a brother, Ernest Christensen of Whittier, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Robert (Marie) McArthur; and five grandsons.
Funeral service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm St.
(Published Tuesday, June 1, 1982 in the Salem Evening News)
*****
In 1936, Harry Christensen was one of six boys from Marblehead who constructed and presented a model of the 1936 Presidental vacation schooner Sewanna to President Roosevelt at his estate in Hyde Park, N.Y. The other five boys were Donald Hamson, Stanley Atkins, Edward Creighton, Gibson Polley, Eugene Amerault (all aged 14) and Robert Nichols (aged 13). Mr. Roosevelt was himself a builder and collector of model boats and was proud to add the new model to his collection.
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