[Park] FW: Published in the Pocono Record on 7/6/2006.

[Bill Brown]

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Brown [mailto:kc2dlr at epix.net] 
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 11:54 PM
Subject: Published in the Pocono Record on 7/6/2006. 

 

Harry C. Robidoux, 61, director of the Monroe County Office of Emergency
Services, of Blakeslee, died late Tuesday evening, July 4, following a
vehicle accident on Route 534 in Polk Township.

According to unofficial reports, he suffered a heart attack while driving
and his vehicle left the road and struck trees. Medical personnel began a
life-flight operation with the destination being the Lehigh Valley Hospital.
He passed away en route.

He was appointed director of Monroe County OES in January 1992. In addition
to those duties, he was serving as chairman of the eight-county Northeast PA
Counter-Terrorism Task Force since its formation in 1998 and he was
president of the Keystone Emergency Management Association the professional
organization for emergency managers in Pennsylvania.

He received the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Professional Certification as
an emergency management coordinator in 1997. Among the honors he received
were: Directors Award of Excellence from the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Partnership Award;
American Red Cross Exceptional Volunteer Service Award; and the Governor's
Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Homeland Security in Pennsylvania.

He also received commendations and awards from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters
of Berks County; the City of Reading for work with the Complete County
Committee; and the Fire Prevention Award from the City of Reading.

Born on April 23, 1945, in Reading, he was a graduate of Reading High School
and received an associate degree from Reading Area Community College with a
major in human behavior. He served as a professional with the Boy Scouts of
America for 18 years in Berks and Schuylkill counties and Morris and Sussex
counties in New Jersey. He had also served as patrol supervisor for Fernwood
Public Safety Department for five years. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he
served in the United States Coast Guard from 1965 to 1969.

He was a former member of the St. Thomas United Church of Christ in Reading
and was presently a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Blakeslee. His
services included: past president and member of the Tunkhannock Volunteer
Fire Company; the AARP; the Public Safety Communications Association-APCO;
the Barger Lodge #325 F&AM, Stroudsburg; the United States Coast Guard
Lightship Association; and the Monroe County Firemen's Association.

A son of the late Romeo and Elizabeth Leeds Robidoux, he is survived by a
brother, Henry Robidoux and his wife, Phillis, of Reading; three nephews;
and nine great-nieces and great-nephews.

There will be a visitation from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, followed by
funeral services at 4 p.m., at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main
St., Stroudsburg with the Rev. Wayne Kaufman officiating, assisted by the
Rev. Major Robert E. Vaughn Sr. Burial will be on Monday, July 10, in the
Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Red Cross
or to The Hawk Mountain Boy Scout Council in Reading.