Harry C. Holmberg, 79

Harry C. Holmberg, 79, resident of Coeur d’Alene, passed away Friday, May 31, 2013, at Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene. He was diagnosed with melanoma cancer.

Harry the youngest of four boys, was born Aug. 22, 1933, in Buffalo, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers.

Harry is survived by his wife, Ann (married 56 years on June 15); daughters, Susan of Campbell, Calif., and Janet of Blackfoot; brother Syd of Lake Worth, Fla.; and brother-in-law and wife, Steve and Judy Kavulich of Rochester, Mich.

Harry’s educational history ranges from a B.S. degree from S.U.N.Y.-Buffalo, M.S. degree from Chapman University, Orange, Calif., to his Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.

The Marine Corps was very special to Harry. From Quantico, Va., as a 2nd Lt. to El Toro, Calif., and 40 reserve years later, Harry achieved the rank of Full Colonel. Always a teacher, Harry loved to travel across the county to various Reserve Units to teach classes in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare. He was a member of Marine Corp League No. 966 Pappy Boyington Detachment.

Harry retired in 1993 from his position as an Educational Administrator for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. He was involved in many educational endeavors. Harry served as president of the National Employment Training Association. He then moved to his home on 29 acres (with a 180-degree view of Cougar Gulch) in rural Coeur d’Alene.

Harry was an advocate for the mentally ill both on the local and national levels. He served as Idaho State President of N.A.M.I. (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Harry participated in the early stages of development for the Coeur d’Alene Mental Health Drug Court. Harry and his wife Ann, appeared in a documentary on Public Broadcast System (Dialogue) titled “In Our Own Voice” relating their experiences with family mental illness issues.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835 or Marine Corp League Pappy Boyington Detachment No. 966, P.O. Box 3107, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816.

Memorial Mass followed by military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013, at St. Pius Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, with a reception luncheon immediately following. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, is entrusted with Harry’s arrangements.

Please sign Harry’s guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.