Harold Ernest Strasser

Harold Ernest Strasser, a native of San Pedro, died Feb. 24 at his home in Palm Desert, as a result of complications from leukemia. He was 83.
He was a longtime U.S. Customs inspector in Los Angeles Harbor, retiring in 1983.
Born on July 29, 1928, he grew up in San Pedro, attended Dana Junior High School and served as senior class president at San Pedro High School, graduating in 1946.
He enlisted in the Army and served in occupied Japan where he saw the aftermath of atomic devastation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After the military, Harold went to work for the U.S. Forestry Service in Idaho, before returning to San Pedro. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 10 years before going to work for the Customs office.
He was married in 1953 to Angelina "Rita" Florentino, whom he met at Catholic Youth Organization dance. They raised five children and enjoyed summer vacation camping trips all over the United States and Canada.
They traveled in a motorhome to Alaska in 1976 before the highway was paved. Harold and Rita visited many countries in Europe and beyond, including communist Russia, North Africa and Israel, prior to Rita's death in 1995.
Harold was remarried in 1997 to Lillian Kowalczyk after they met at a square dance the year before. They made their home in Palm Desert for the past 15 years at the Oasis Country Club. They enjoyed golfing, traveling and the beauty of the desert.
Harold's interests included history, sailing, musicals, dancing, Bonsai trees and roses.
In addition to his wife, Lillian, he is survived by his children, James Strasser of Daly City, Patricia (Jeff) Kolin of Beverly Hills, Virginia (Clark) Mason of Santa Rosa, Paul (Anna) Strasser of San Pedro, and Shirley (Michael) Matich of San Pedro; grandchildren, Paul (Regina) Hughes, Matthew(Sarah) Hughes, Cherie and Elyse Kolin, Alyssia Strasser, and Matthew Matich; and great-grandchildren Austin and Alyssa Hughes.
He is also survived by step-children Peter Kowalczyk of Palos Heights, Ill., David Kowalczyk and Curtis Johnson of Palm Desert, and Veronica Schipitch of Indio; four step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at Green Hills Mortuary, San Pedro, followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m.
A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Church, San Pedro.
Burial will be in Green Hills.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275