Obituary of Harvey Sides

Harvey Sides, formerly of Pittsfield, MA passed away peacefully at Boonton Care Center in Boonton, NJ on February 11, 2019. He was born December 3, 1922 in Westville, IL, son to the late Arthur and Caroline Sides. He grew up in Staunton, IL, before moving to Gary, IN as a teenager. Harvey was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1952, after serving in World War II as a Firecontrolman First Class. He was on the USS Hornet when it was sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz Island. Harvey was one of the last men retrieved from the sea by an accompanying ship and he would have been thrilled to learn the wreckage of the Hornet was found just a few days before his death. Subsequently he served on the USS Iowa. In 1945 he married Myrtle (McDermott) Sides. Harvey went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1951. Upon completion he accepted employment as an electrical engineer for General Electric where he remained until his retirement in 1985. Throughout his life Harvey was an avid gardener. He was a member of Pittsfield Beautiful and the Springside Greenhouse Group for many years, serving as president of each for a period of time. He also volunteered for Reading for the Blind and Literacy Volunteers. In addition he enjoyed cooking, Sudoku and taking long walks. Myrtle died in 1982 and several years later Harvey reconnected with his childhood friend, Jeanne (Voyles) Sides at their 50 year high school reunion. In 1990 they married and continued to live in Pittsfield, MA until 2011 when they moved to Bethalto, IL living at Villa Rose Assisted Living. When Jeanne died in 2016, Harvey moved to NJ to be near his children. In addition to his parents and his wives, Harvey was pre-deceased by his siblings Derrick Sides, Joyce Smith, Sadie Wynder, Shirley Bouque and his granddaughter, Sasha Truesdale. Harvey was dearly loved by all who knew him. He is survived by his children: Janis Hassan of Rockaway, NJ, Robert Sides of Brighton, MA, and Keith Sides of Boonton, NJ; his granddaughter, Veda Truesdale (and her spouse Nathaniel Bradburd) of Maplewood, New Jersey, and 2 great grandchildren, Florence and Ira Bradburd. Also surviving is his sister, Audrey Strong of Florida and a special niece, Kathy Sides of Bronx, NY. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield, MA with military honors on February 27, 2018 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers donations in Harvey's name may be made to pittsfieldbeautiful.org or amnestyusa.org.