Harold Haag Obituary

My brother and I worked for Harold when we were teenagers at Grandwood Park, in Gurnee, IL. We did work at his home in Skokie, IL. He was great gentleman and a big influence on my life. I will never forget him.
Dennis Sheehan

I had the pleasure and honor of knowing Harold as a teenager growing up in rural Antioch, IL. My brother Patrick and I worked for Harold when He developed Grandwood Park in Gurnee, IL. We worked for Harold for approximately five years in the summer months. I will always remember the kindness and generosity this man gave to my brother and I. He was one of those people who was more like a father figure and a mentor. I remember him telling me of his journey across the Atlantic Ocean and his boat being torpedode by a German submarine. He told that he drank half of the Atlantic Ocean. It as been many years since we had crossed paths and I sorry had not stayed in touch. He was a good man will be missed by family and friends.

Dennis Sheehan
Antioch, IL

Harold will be terribly missed by those that came to know and love him at the Pelican Cafe. As I sat here reading his obituarary tears of sadness roll down my cheeks. Harold was a bright spot on any day that he graced us with his presence. My sympathies go out to his family who have suffered a great lose. It was truly an honor to have known Harold. God Bless - from Karen Howe, Mark Frangione and the Pelican Cafe staff that loved him.

I had the pleasure of meeting Harold and his wife Barbara several years ago when they did business with L & M Cleaners in North Palm Beac where I use to work. I will always remember his friendly personality, his smile and the bird on his shoulder. He would laugh because I am not too fond of birds. I know his friends and family will miss him very much.
May he rest in peace!
Tommie Carter

It was an honor to know you, always a gentleman, we will miss you Harold...

Just over a week ago, before Harold passed, I visited with him and we shared our last Russell Stover’s sugar-free chocolate – Private Reserve. Harold and I spent many Saturdays together in his den; he in his favorite leather chair, which I called the throne, and me at the desk. He told me about his life, his family’s incredible journey fleeing Nazi Germany, his career, his lapses in judgment, his loves and his children, whom he adored. I considered it a high-compliment when I once overheard Harold tell someone, “Say I owe you money – she’ll dispute it.”

One Saturday, in about 2008, right before Harold was leaving for a trip up north, we were discussing ways to ensure his flight went smoothly. I was a little worried for him because apparently he didn’t realize he was old. He wanted to see his accountant and his broker (all the King’s men). He was going to travel and that was that. There was nothing I could say to make him err on the side of caution. Then, as I was driving us home from lunch, a thought came to my mind – the Nazi’s tried killing him not once, but twice, and they couldn’t. The camp in England didn’t kill him either. Heck, this little plane flight was going to be a piece of marzipan. And in the end, Harold, my dear friend, passed on his own terms at home, embraced in Barbara’s memory.

My last words to Harold in our final meeting were these, I loved him very much. Though the loss of him is great, the joy of having known him is greater!