Harold Doyle Best, of Village Square Menno Haven, Chambersburg, formerly of Shippensburg, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at his home.
Born Mar. 9, 1928, in Doylesburg, he was the son of the late Harry G. and Judith A. Doyle Best.
He graduated from the former Fannett Township High School in the class of 1946, along with his future wife Dorothy Marie McCrerey. They were married Sept. 20, 1947 in Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, Doylesburg.
They owned and operated Best TV and Appliances, a local small business, in Shippensburg for 35 years. He later became a real estate agent for over 20 years before retiring.
He was an active member of his church Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, Shippensburg, and the Knights of Columbus, and also many community organizations including the Orrstown Lions Club, the Shippensburg Day Care Center, the Shippensburg Rotary Club, the Shippensburg Chamber of Commerce and the Path Valley Historical Society. He was a longtime member and past president of the Chambersburg Golf Club.
Until a few years ago, he was still an avid golfer, and always a great fan of Penn State football. He claimed he voted in every election for 74 years, starting in 1950.
He and his wife were world travelers, visiting many places in Europe, as well as Japan, Hong Kong, and many Caribbean islands.
In 1999 they started the annual Best-Doyle Family Reunion, researching cousins all over the country to invite them to visit their ancestral home in Amberson and Path Valleys and learn about the early settlers of the area.
When he moved to Menno Haven by himself a few years ago, he worried that he wouldn’t know anyone, but of course he would talk to everyone he encountered whether he knew them or not. He loved to tell stories, recalling specifics of events decades ago, and had a wonderful sense of humor.
He is survived by five sons, Dennis H. (Linda) of Gainesville, VA, David J. (Deborah) of Shippensburg, William J. (Michael Fink) of Huntingdon Valley, J. Kevin (Laurie) of Manlius, NY, and Thomas D. (Annette) of Midlothian, VA; three daughters, Anne B. (Glenn) Fink of Dillsburg, Carol Sue F. (Raymond III “Andy”) Mowery of Dillsburg, and Megan E. (Peter) Ihrig of Tavernier, FL, 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert H. Best of Chambersburg, and James R. W. Best of Keene, NH.
He was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 2002, a son Michael G. in 1961, a daughter Maureen E. “Molly” in 2015, brothers Francis W. in 2006, and Gerald J. in 2008, and a sister Elizabeth C. Best in 1997.
A mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, February 10, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, Shippensburg, with Father Benjamin Dunkelberger as Celebrant.
Burial will be in Our Lady of Refuge Cemetery in Doylesburg.
A viewing will be held Monday, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium Inc.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, 305 N. Prince St., Shippensburg 17257 or Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 21169 Cross Rd, Doylesburg 17219.
Online condolences may be expressed at the funeral home’s website.
