Harry Rosero McCoy Sr.

November 6, 1944 – May 19, 2022

Harry Rosero McCoy Sr. was born November 6, 1944, at Stanford University Hospital in San Francisco, California to Doris and Carry McCoy.  He was born an identical twin to his brother Carry, both of whom being the oldest of 5 siblings, Barbara Jean, Victoria, and Marcelino. They grew up and resided in San Francisco, California.

Harry attended Bret Harte Elementary school in San Francisco where he took up the trumpet, playing in the school band all through middle and high school. By graduation, Harry had developed into quite an accomplished trumpeter.

In late 1957, following in his brother Carry's footsteps, Harry began a bible study with a sister from the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Quenching his thirst for knowledge, he quickly applied what he learned and, just a year later, dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized in November, 1958.

That dedication was put to the test during his freshman year at John O’Connell Technical School. There, before the student body and faculty, he refused to salute the flag, viewing it as a form of idol worship (Ex 34:14; 1 Cor. 10:14).  As a result, both brothers were expelled and transferred to Lincoln High School.  While at Lincoln, Harry joined the swim team and cross-country track team, achieving honorable mentions in both sports, graduating with the Class of 1963.

In 1970, Harry was introduced to the love of his life, Gloria Jean, by her brother Johnny Roy Hodges.  Some months later on March 12, 1971,  they married, blending their families - Harry with sons, Richard and Harry Jr. (aka Rosero), and Gloria with daughter, Leticia (aka LaShay) and toddler son, Javan.  In time, they expanded their family by two more, Dana in 1972 and John in 1976.  Gloria and Harry were married for 51 years, faithfully serving Jehovah together in congregations in San Francisco, Richmond, Suisun, Madera, and Galt.

Harry was a family man and took his role as breadwinner and family head seriously.  He spent his entire career working for the US Postal Service holding various positions of increased responsibility, much of that time commuting from Richmond to San Francisco to work the graveyard shift. Despite that difficult schedule, Harry set a fine example for his family of regular attendance at Christian meetings and leading them out in the field ministry on the weekends when he was off work.  Harry also supported Gloria's full-time service for decades and eventually joined her as a full-time pioneer following his retirement.

Even with a large family, Harry planned and took them on vacation every year. Stand out vacations included the World Expo in Vancouver, Canada, a Caribbean Cruise, a cross-country train ride to the east coast to visit Bethel, not to mention countless camping and Disneyland trips.  He was proud of his family and loved when they could be together, enjoying each other’s company.

Harry was his own man with a distinctive personality.  Each family member and friend has unique and special memories of him.  Most would agree that he was a talking history book/almanac/encyclopedia with a mind full of dates, figures, and statistics about people and countries around the world. He was a continuous student of life, and was generous with his knowledge and stories.  Anyone who knew him likely has their very own “Harry story" or "Dad story.” Here are just a few…

Javan: “Years ago, I called my dad to apologize to him for being a spoiled brat kid. He replied as only Dad can “oh no, you were and are a great son to me!" Our father ALWAYS looked for the good in others, especially in his children.”

Tawana (aka Tawny):  “Harry took a bubble bath every night, not a shower, a bath.  No matter where he was or how late the hour, he had the same routine -- a bubble bath before bed like clockwork for as long as I can remember. I miss Harry’s nightly rounds when, robed and slippered, towel in hand, he'd go to each family member and announce “does anybody need to use the bathroom?  I’m about to take a bath.”

Ariane:  “I just always remember before any family trip, we’d always get a later start than planned because mango papa always had to check all the tires’ pressure and oil levels and if they weren’t to his satisfaction, he’d have to take care of it then and there. He was extremely safety conscious...even if it meant a long delay to get going. ”

Rosero:  "My Dad was a man that I’ve strived my whole young life to not be like, just to realize as I got older, that fortunately, my better qualities came from the values that were instilled in me because of my Dad.

...A man I could never hold a candle to no matter how hard I tried.

...A man who truly believed in his faith and proved that to the very end by not taking blood.

...A man who raised, along with my beautiful mother, 6 kids...

...A man that unfortunately, I will never be able to call and say "I love ❤️ you dad" to again and hear him say back to me “I love you Son.”

My Dad...a man that I will live out the rest of my days remembering and treasuring our moments and time we had together, even when we didn’t see eye to eye.  I love ❤️you Dad!"

At family gatherings, Harry was the first to call together bid whist games with anyone willing to play with him. This was not because he was a master bid whist player, but because, win or lose, he was having fun with the people he loved.

Harry accepted his impending death with courage, loyal to Jehovah to the end (Ps.  4:3; 116:15);  At the hospital, when asked  where he wanted to spend his final days, he replied “I want to go home to my beautiful wife," and so he did just that, watching his favorite team, the Golden State Warriors, win a playoff game, with his family.  Harry exhaled for the last time hand-in-hand with Gloria and his children surrounding him.

Harry leaves behind to mourn his loss, his wife, Gloria Jean, his children, Harry Rosero McCoy Jr., Richard Bellamy and wife Linda,  Leticia (aka LaShay) Berry and husband Freddie, Javan DeVore and wife Tawny, Dana Lawrence and husband Elbert, and John McCoy; his grandchildren, Jarrett Wright, Emile and Eric McCoy, Ariane Maeberry, J.C. DeVore, Devin Jasper, Micah Berry and Lola McCoy; his great grandchildren, Monico and Eris McCoy, Maya and Roman Maeberry, and Amaree Jasper; Siblings Carry McCoy, Victoria Tapia Caldwell, Marcelino Tapia and many dear extended family members and friends. Harry was predeceased by his mother Doris, his aunt Dorothy, his sister Barbara Jean and grandson Maliek Jasper.

And I heard a voice out of heaven say, “Write: Happy are the dead who die in union with the Lord from this time onward...for the things they did go right with them.”  -Revelation 14: 13

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