Lester Tharp

Lester Tharp age 89 of Conneaut died Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the Villa at the Lake, where he had resided for a short time.

Lester was born on May 22, 1931 in Pickens, West Virginia, the son of Danis and Virginia Thomas Tharp.

He was a 1949 graduate of Albion High School and attended Kent State University where he attained an associate degree in Business.

Lester tried out for two professional baseball teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and a New York team, and was then he was drafted into the Army. He entered the United States Army in October of 1952 and served his country proudly until he was honorably discharged in 1954.

Lester married Helen Golaszewski on September 20, 1952. He worked at the former Astatic Corporation and retired from SCM as a maintenance supervisor in 1996.  Lester was the former owner/operator of Furman’s on Mill Street, Double Decker, and Let’s Hide Away in the Conneaut harbor.  Lester was nominated Conneaut’s Senior of the month in April 2013.

Lester was a member of Corpus Christi Parish and was proud to serve at church.  He was on several church committees, parish council and volunteered many hours for his church. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council #621.  Lester was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion Cowle Post 151.

Lester was highly active in the C.L.Y.O programs. He helped build the first field for gadget league, little league, pony league and colt league and served as manager, coach, president, and secretary over the years.

He organized and played in the over 40 league and served as commissioner from 1989 to 2005.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen Golaszewski Tharp in 2012, brothers Cecil Tharp and Frank Tharp, sister Alma Frombach and son Benjamin “Benny” Tharp.

Lester is survived by a son Steve and Susan Tharp, two daughters Leslie and Daniel Thomas and Nancy and Danny Sullivan all of Conneaut.

His grandchildren Katy Sullivan, D.J. Sullivan, Bryan Sullivan, Troy (Shannon) Leavery, Scott Leavery, Steve (Deb Fields) Tharp, Jason (Kristi)Tharp, Ashley (Jason) Dello, Mackenzie (Jeremy) Coles, ten great-grandchildren, sister Rosa Hedrick, of Butler, PA., along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at the Raisian Family Funeral Home, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at the Raisian Family Funeral Home with Fr. Philip Miller officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Conneaut with the American Legion Honor Squad presenting full military honors.

Social distancing and wearing a mask are requested for calling hours, funeral service, and cemetery.

Lester’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Villa at the Lake for the care and compassion during Lester’s stay.

Memorial contributions in Lester’s memory can be made to Corpus Christi Parish.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.         

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lester Tharp, please visit our floral store.