Photos by Leon Worden
Memorial services for longtime community leader Duane Harte were held Saturday, bringing members of the community together to mourn his passing and celebrate his life.
Harte is survived by his wife of 43 years, Pauline, daughters Donna and Denise, and grandson Evan Alexander.
He died Nov. 23 after suffering a heart attack at his Valencia home. He was 68.
The memorial service, organized by Councilman Bob Kellar and held at the 500-seat Sanctuary Church in Friendly Valley, drew a full house.
Harte moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1974, where he and his wife raised their children.
He is remembered for his commitment to many organizations in the Santa Clarita Valley and his service and leadership on several policy-making boards.
Duane and Pauline Harte (File photo)
At the time of his death, he was chairman of the city of Santa Clarita’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission and president of the SCV Veterans Memorial Committee.
Harte was also treasurer of the SCV Historical Society, vice chair of the SCV Fourth of July Parade, and a former chairman of the SCV Chamber of Commerce, the SCV Committee on Aging and the Newhall Redevelopment Committee, as well as a 17-year member of the Santa Clarita Elks Lodge.
In 2003, Harte was named SCV Man of the Year for his volunteer work on behalf of several community organizations.
He had served for 23 years as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve before retiring in 1990 as a senior chief petty officer. After his retirement from the armed forces, he was an active member of the Newhall American Legion 507 and dedicated time and effort to supporting veterans.
Saturday’s church service was followed by a burial ceremony at Eternal Valley Memorial Park with a Condor Squadron flyover and full military honors.
[ Read more about Duane Harte here ]
| Chris McCrory
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4 Comments
It was a beautiful service and Denise did a wonderful tribute to her father.
So that’s why i saw the planes fly over head!
Yesterday’s memorial service went flawlessly and it was so fitting for such a wonderful man. Major kudos to Bob Kellar for his excellent eulogy and for facilitating this outstanding tribute. Alesia’s rendition of The Lord’s Prayer was amazingly powerful and beautiful…. I thought all of the speakers were simply excellent. I have to say that I was visibly shaken while bagpiper Chelsea Joy played Amazing Grace as Duane’s casket was lowered. Indeed, it was a high honor being one of the pall bearers. May God bless Duane Harte and his entire family.
We will miss Duane immeasurably… he was a dear friend, besides all of his volunteer accomplishments. Duane, the man, will be missed even more than Duane, the volunteer. The tributes and church service, internment at Eternal Valley and the gathering at the ELKS were all wonderfully done. Love and prayers to Pauline, Donna, Denise and Evan.