Harold James Dalley, Jr.

May 19, 1920 - October 4, 2011

Date of Notice: October 4, 2011; Burlington County Times, Hackettstown Gazette Harold James Dalley, Jr., age 91, of Southampton passed away on Friday, September 30, 2011 at Samaritan Inpatient Hospice. Son of the late Harold James Dalley, Sr. and Dora Wright. He was born May 19, 1920 in Peapack, NJ. Married to Marie Volz on Sept. 5, 1947 for 64 years. Devoted father of Susan Jane Sommers of Cary, NC and Deborah Ann Dalley (Deceased). Survived by 2 grandsons Christopher Kemp Sommers and Troy Van Sommers both of Cary, N.C. Harold, better known as "Dalley" attended Hackettstown High School and worked at Hatfield Wire and Cable Co. in Hackettstown before joining the US Army to serve in World War II, 82nd Airborne Division, as a paratrooper. He received several Medals of Honor: World War II Victory Medal, American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and Good Conduct medal. He returned to Hackettstown working as an electrician and a tree surgeon for Asplundt, ultimately joining the Iron Workers Local 36 IABS OIW helping to rebuild 3 bridges across the Delaware River after the flood of 1953. Dalley also helped build the original MM's factory in Hackettstown, NJ as well as Hackettstown Memorial Hospital. In 1957 he built their lovely family home in Lake Tranquility, Andover, NJ. In 1988 he and his wife, Marie relocated to the Leisuretowne section of Southampton. Dalley's hobbies included dancing, traveling abroad and cruising. He and his wife attended the 50th D-Day Anniversary Celebration at The Beach of Normandy. He will most be remembered as the neighborhood "Mr. Fix it" and for being found in his garage with tool in hand. He was a Free and Accepted Mason. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 11:30AM at Union Cemetery, Hackettstown, NJ, with military honors to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053 or Parkinson's Research Foundation 1359 Broadway Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mathis Funeral Home, Medford, NJ.