Obituary

Harold R. Van Siclen Jr.

Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:15pm

Harold R. Van Siclen “Van” Jr., 89, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, formerly of St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor, died peacefully at home Sept. 4, 2019.

Van was born to Harold and Margaret Van Siclen in Mineola, New York. His mother died shortly after his birth and he was raised by his paternal grandmother and aunt. He attended elementary and secondary school on Long Island before going on to University of New Hampshire where he graduated in 1953 with a degree in hotel management.

He married UNH classmate Phyllis Johnson in August 1954. He was stationed in England as an Air Force housing officer following his wedding. Upon his return to the states, he worked for Raytheon Corporation living in Colorado, Texas and Massachusetts before taking a job as controller at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute on Cape Cod.

He and Phyllis eventually retired to Kennebunk, Maine and then to Boothbay Harbor, which held a special place in their hearts. They both worked at Sprucewold Lodge during college and celebrated their anniversary every year at Rocktide. Van was an active member of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor where he sang in the choir.

He is survived by his sister, Dottie Koch of Manchester, New Hampshire; nieces, Deborah Ahle and Sandra Carpenter of Ridgefield, Connecticut and Barbara Hickok of Manchester, New Hampshire; and nephew, Lawrence Koch of Savannah, Georgia.

Burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery in Boothbay Harbor.

Contributions in Van’s memory may be made to the Boothbay Region Food Pantry, P.O Box 63, East Boothbay, ME 04544.