Harold J. Drolet

Harold J. Drolet, 87, of 6700 Scenic Heights, Manchester GA, previously lived at 10 Corey Trail Wyoming R.I., passed away at Grady Hospital on July 28, 2017 surrounded by his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. He proceeded in death by his father Lawrence Samuel Drolet, mother Josephine H. Day Drolet, grandson Samuel Drolet, granddaughter Samantha Drolet, step-grandson R.J. (Richard), step-granddaughter Alicia Cormier, and step-son Glenn Winn. His mother being from a large family he was also preceded in death, total of 13 between his aunts and uncles.

Born on May 16, 1930 in Bangor Maine to Josephine and Lawrence Drolet, he was the first grandchild of Averill and Harry Day.

Harold attended High School in Ellsworth/Bucksport. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in beginning of 1948. After receiving an honorable discharge started college education at University of Maine at Oronto Campus, and then enlisted in the combat engineers branch of the army, doing a tour in Korea where he was held captive and tortured as a POW. After discharge he married Ruth Belle Higgins in 1956, which they ended up divorcing years later. He worked various construction jobs climbing his way to become job super attendant on several of the jobs. The last contract he had he built a road to create a back gate to West Point, which required cutting paths thru Storm King Mountain, then started a land survey business with a partner, several years after the survey business, he went to work for Groton on a contract, later becoming a full time employee as a supervisor/inspector in waste water project.

Harold met Bessie in 1978 through mutual friends and was soon married. After moving to Rhode Island he would comment on how much better the roads were in Connecticut than Rhode Island, due to how bumpy the roads were and the repairs that were consistently needed. Due to his knowledge and great expertise he would always comment on how they were not repaired properly.

Harold loved to travel, four-wheeling to the beach, going to the drive-in with his wife and step-children, playing card games with family members and friends; especially cribbage with his Uncle Willie, spite in malice, hand and foot, Skipbo, and Uno. However, his favorite was sitting down to read and enjoy a good book.

Considering that Harold had to retire early, he found hobbies he enjoyed; such as wood working where he would make boats, lighthouses (for his wife), pens, bowls, salt and pepper shakers, tables, entertainment center, hutches, book shelves, and corner hutches. There were not many things he could not make with the proper wood and tools. He would make them and give them out as presents on special occasions. He was very crafty and loved all the work he did.

He leaves his sister Nancy of Maine, children: Lawrence Drolet (and his wife Martha) of Talbotton GA, Saba Drolet of New London CT, and John Drolet (and his wife Cheryl) of Middletown CT., step children Vanita Arnold of Bradford R.I., Brenda Thormahlen (and her husband Scott) of Norwich CT, Clara Brouillard (and her husband Michel) of Wyoming R.I., William Winn Jr (and his wife Lisa) of Wakefield R.I; He is also survived by his grandchildren; Jed Drolet, John Drolet Jr, step grandchildren: Cynthia Candelario, Christina Rose, Casandra and Joshua Souza, Christine and Bruce Kenyon, Nisa Haskell, Lynn Sherwood, Spencer Erica and Norman Winn, Andrew Boliver, Nicholas Arnold, Jessica Murray, Amy Thormahlen, Timothy Winn; Devynn Fagre, and Michel Brouillard Jr., 3 great grandchildren, and 30 step great grandchildren.