Harry "Roger" Best of Green Valley, AZ and formerly of Lily Dale and Fredonia, NY, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born on July 5, 1930 to William and Ella (Neenan) Best in Brooklyn, NY.
At the age of nine, Roger and his family moved to Lily Dale where he attended grade school in Cassadaga, NY until entering Stella Niagara Cadet School in Lewiston, NY for grades seven and eight, graduating from there in 1944. He came back to Cassadaga Valley Central School for his high school years and played football, receiving a varsity letter.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1944 and served two years. As part of Platoon 327, he participated in the Atlantic Fleet Exercises in the Caribbean area of Culebra Island aboard the LST 280. He received an honorable discharge in 1948. In 1949-1952, he was in the U.S. Army and served most of his time in various areas of Germany. He was in the 40th Ordinance Depot Company and was ranked first in his class. He also served as Command Conference Leader in 1951. He was a member of the U.S. Rifle Caliber as a marksman. He was issued a WWII Victory Medal and was honorably discharged as Sgt. First Class in 1952.
He was employed by International Harvester Company (Truck Division) as Parts Man in Buffalo, NY and later transferred to Erie, PA to Five Star International Trucks, where he stayed until 1976 and transferred to Chautauqua Truck Sales in Dunkirk, NY.
He married his wife, Barbara (Baldwin) Best in Dunkirk on November 18, 1956. In 1983, the moved to Tucson, AZ, and he was employed by the University of Arizona for eight years as a Material Supply Controller before his retirement in 1992.
He became an avid UofA sports fan and attended many basketball, football and softball games. He also enjoyed being a school crossing guard for the Tucson Unified School after his retirement and moved to the Green Valley, AZ retirement community in 1997.
He and his wife enjoyed camping for 12 years and also traveling over the years to Spain, northern Africa, Ireland, Hawaii and the Caribbean. In the Fredonia, NY area, he served as Little League Coach for a Putt A Bit team for many years and was vice president for the league.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years; one son, Dana Sean Best of Middletown, PA; one grandson, Derek Aubrey; one sister, Rosemarie Cockshott (Thomas) of Fredonia; one nephew, Shane Cockshott (Melanie) of The Woodlands, TX and family, Christopher, Matthew and Caitlyn.
No prior visitation will be held in Arizona. Family will hold a Military Memorial Service in Laona United Methodist Church this summer at the convenience of the family, to be announced later.
By the Observer
