Harold Joseph Songin

Harold Joseph Songin, age 88, passed away peacefully in the Brightview Senior Living Center in Canton, Massachusetts on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Born in his parent's home in East Walpole on February 26, 1929, he was the youngest of 8 children born to the late Paul and Lenora (Koslowski) Songin originally from Poland. As a young boy, he was given the name "Goo Goo" and could be found spending time with his brothers all over East Walpole. Growing up, Harold with his brothers played football and hockey on the Bird River. At the age of 10, Goo Goo learned to drive a truck. This was his introduction to trucking, where he would later build his career. He was a standout hockey player, which caught the attention of the Raytheon Rockets, who quickly added him to their team. Upon entering Walpole High School, Harold used his athletic skills to earn positions on the football and hockey teams. He went on to graduate from Walpole High School with the Class of 1946 and received a football scholarship to attend the University of Alabama.

After three semesters at Alabama, Harold realized how much he missed home and playing hockey. He packed his bags and headed back north, where he took a job with his brother in law Joe McGrath driving a truck for his company, McGrath Trucking. In addition, he returned to the hockey rink. As the war in Korea began to escalate, Harold was contacted by his draft board. Knowing back when he tried to volunteer years prior that he was not eligible to serve because of a previous eye injury, he drove his truck into Boston, certain to return to work that day, where he was swiftly taken in by the Army and sent for basic training at Fort Drum. He spent the next two years serving his country in the Army, where again because of his athletic ability, he was drafted onto an Army football team in Virginia. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and he returned to his hometown of East Walpole.

One evening while at a restaurant with friends in Wrentham, Goo Goo met Alice Ruth Taylor and asked her to dance, it was love at first sight. They were married a short time later on February 27, 1954 in Saint Mary's Church in East Walpole and Goo Goo made sure everything was perfect. The young couple made their home together in East Walpole, where they raised their seven girls. He returned to his trucking career with McGrath which became US Steel and picked up his hockey career with the Worcester Warriors. In 1959, he joined the Brockton Wetzell Hockey Club and after winning the US Amateur Championship, Goo Goo and his team traveled in Russia playing against many Russian teams with Olympic players. After working for US Steel for a few years, Harold took a driving position with W.J. Hill, which later became Bird and Son in East Walpole. He was incredibly dedicated to his job, serving as shop steward for many years and always planning the retirement parties. Hockey was truly a lifelong passion of Goo Goo and he continued playing for most of his life. He joined the Rockland Estes and later the Walpole Sweepers at the Four Seasons Arena.

After his retirement from Bird and Son, Harold began driving for the Boston Globe and later took a position with Saint Mary's in East Walpole working as the sexton. He also worked as a bartender at the Walpole VFW, Post 5188, where he was also in charge of the horseshoe league and an occasional football pool. In addition, Goo Goo was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) in Norwood for many years, spending many years organizing and running the Elks Golf League at the Chemawa Golf Course. His friends enjoyed his great sense of humor and playing pranks with him over the years at the EWAC in East Walpole. As much as fun was part of his life, he was always sure to be in church at St. Mary's on Sunday mornings and served as an usher for many years.

While his jobs and social events were important, nothing was more important than his family. He always made sure to take his wife Alice out dancing every Saturday, reliving the moment that they met. For his girls, he was the cook on Sunday nights, preparing his special version of hamburgers and serving ice cream. Beginning in 1961, Goo Goo rented a cottage in Harwichport, Cape Cod for two weeks every year in the summer for his family to spend time together. They were joined by neighbors from East Walpole who all rented homes in the same area and it quickly became a yearly tradition. He was overjoyed when he welcomed his grandchildren, as he knew his Songin Family history would live on in the new generation. As Goo Goo began looking to retirement, he and Alice began traveling together, taking memorable trips to Hawaii, Alaska, California, Switzerland, and the Caribbean.

Beloved husband of Alice R. (Taylor) Songin.
Loving father of Karin Weymouth and her husband Russ of Plymouth, Cathy Songin of Beverly, Terri Finik and her husband John of Beverly, Patricia Robinson and her husband Albert of Walpole, Sandra Songin of York, Maine, Carolyn Songin of Yelapa, Mexico, and Marlene Songin and her husband Brian Cowden of Los Angeles, California.
Cherished grandfather of Katelyn, Emily, Christopher, Hayley, A.J., and Veronica.
Brother of the late Stella McCahill, Jennie Kunelius, Alice McGrath, Lenora Lincoln, Alfred Songin, Edward "Butch" Songin, and the late Walter Songin.
Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Harold's Life Celebration on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 4 to 8 PM and Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379.