Harold Gramley

The son of Mable Dagle and Ralph Gramley, Harold D. Gramley was born on July 29, 1935 in Sunbury, PA and died November 4, 2021 in Erie. After graduating from Forty Fort High School in 1953, he served for three years as a U.S. Army paratrooper and then earned, from Penn State University, a bachelor of science degree and a master's degree, both in education. At Kent State University he fulfilled – except for the dissertation – all the requirements for the Ph.D. Therefore, when he moved to Edinboro, PA in 1969, he did so without the degree, but with a new wife, Judy D. Gramley.

At Edinboro University he spent twenty-six years teaching American Literature and English and trying to teach his students to think critically and to find “the truth” in literary fiction and in life. He also developed a strong connection with the Far East during a one-year tour with the Army in Japan, which included a mind-changing visit to Hiroshima, and in a one-year assignment (accompanied by his wife and two small children) as an exchange professor of American Literature in the People's Republic of China. Off-campus, he served as President of the Lewis Cemetery Association for twenty years and cemetery caretaker for forty years. He also worked endlessly to transform an old farmhouse into a decent home for his family.

Harold was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty years, Judy in 2019. He is survived by his four sons, Kurt (and wife Meaghen) of Sharon, PA, Kevin (and wife Natalie) of Sinking Springs, PA, Nathan (and wife Geanina) of Atlanta, GA and Steven (and significant other Allison) of Pittsburgh, PA; his sister, Elaine Kohl of Northumberland, PA; twelve grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and some very good friends.

Harold will be remembered for his commitment to his wife, children and students, his work ethic, his liberal point of view and his habitual pipe smoking.

Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Harold's life on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 210 Erie St., Edinboro.

Private burial will be in Lewis Cemetery, Fry Road, Edinboro. Memorials may be made to Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) or USA for UNHCR (unrefugees.org). To send condolences please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.