Obituary of Harold Folsom

Harold P. Folsom, Jr. passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Folsom was born July 31, 1918 in Lewiston Maine, to Harold P. Folsom, Sr. and Lucy Merrill Folsom. He was the oldest of ten children. Growing up in Monmouth, Maine he played the violin in the Youth Orchestra at Cumston Hall. He joined the Army Air Corp shortly after Pearl Harbor and served his country throughout World War II. Following his discharge he met his sister Anne's college roommate Mary Walters. They married June 26, 1948. They later came to California and raised three children, moving to the Conejo Valley in 1961. Mr. Folsom was always active in his church and helped establish Saint Matthews United Methodist in Newbury Park, continuing his service there until just a few years ago. As soon as his sons were old enough they joined the Boy Scouts and Mr. Folsom was a Scout Master for many years and in fact, continued serving as a Merit Badge Advisor long after his own sons finished with Scouting. He was an avid photographer and wherever he went his camera was always with him. He enjoyed developing his own photos and had a dark room to fulfill his passion. The family has many happy memories that he captured on film. Following his retirement, from the United States Postal Service he served on the Red Cross with a disaster preparedness unit, was President of the of the Friendly Oaks Senior Group and Secretary of the Golden Age Senior Group. He enjoyed gardening and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Harold and Mary always loved camping and traveling and circumnavigated the United States, missing only one state. They especially enjoyed their trip to Hawaii to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Harold is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Mary, his children: Harold P. Folsom, III, wife Lisa, of Rancho Cucamonga; Edith Folsom-Fox, husband Anthony J. Fox, of Simi Valley; and Richard I. Folsom, wife Diane, of Thousand Oaks; his grandchildren, Mary Strickland, Britany Folsom, Kevin Folsom, Steven Folsom, Vanessa Fox, Anthony H. Fox and one great-grandchild, Ashley Strickland, as well as many nieces and nephews, including Katharine (Griffiths) Hall, of Thousand Oaks; Gail (Griffiths) Vorse, of Idaho; and David Griffiths of Santa Rosa, California. Harold is also survived by his sisters: Rowena Lane of Arley, Alabama; Rebecca Ferguson of Saint Petersburg, Florida; and Karen Mitchell of Fayette, Maine; brothers: Leroy Folsom, Linwood Folsom both of Boston, Massachusetts; and Lawrence Folsom of Monmouth, Maine. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lucy Folsom; step-mother, Irma Folsom; sisters Charlene LaVoie, Anne Smith and brother Francis Folsom. The family would especially like to thank Dad's caregivers; Dr. Russell Hines, MD; Aileen, Tammy and Ashley all of Able Body Home Health Care; Buena Vista Hospice; and Eric Rose, for the care and kindness that they have shown us at this difficult time. Beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather you will be missed. A memorial service will be held on Saturday Oct 1, 2011 at 10 : oo am at the rose family funeral home chapel. Assisting the family with funeral arrangements is the family owned and operated Rose family Funeral Home Our family helping yours.