Harold A. Gernand, 79, of Lexington, South Carolina, passed on from this world into heaven on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Born April 18, 1943, to John Gernand and Violet (Hitt) Gernand of Moravia, New York, Harold grew up and lived in Moravia for a period of time.

Harold was first and foremost a family man, having raised four children. He was a devoted husband and caregiver to his beloved wife, the late Roberta (Bobbie) J. (Reynolds) Gernand, over the course of their 51 years of marriage.

He very proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1968. He then served in the National Guard for a period of five years and the United States Army Reserve for seven years, making him a 20-year retired master sergeant.

In addition to his service to his country he worked and retired from New York State Electric and Gas in Ithaca, Plattsburgh and Granville, New York.

After he returned from the Vietnam War, he bought a brand-new 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass. After his retirement one of his hobbies was restoring an old 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass that his son Shane now owns and is enjoying.

Other hobbies included hiking and woodworking. He was also a very avid reader.

Harold and Bobbie loved cruising around the world and spent their golden years enthusiastically visiting most of the islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Aruba and Hawaii and the Panama Canal.

Harold is survived by his stepdaughters Cindy (Plowman) Bailey, Sharie (Plowman) Leonard, Karla (Plowman) Smith and a son Shane A. Gernand. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A brother Jack Gernand died previously.

A service will be held on Thursday, May 11, at 2:30 p.m., at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York.

Harold will be greatly missed by family and friends.