(May 20, 1923-September 3, 2005)

NORWOOD--Harry L. Babbitt, 82, Springville, formerly of Norwood, died Saturday at his home.

Mr. Babbitt moved to Springville in 1959 and worked at Roswell Park Research Labs there in developing antibodies for research. He later worked at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, Springville, as a nursing assistant, retiring in 1999.

Born May 20, 1923, in Norwood, son of Leander and Beatrice Storres Babbitt, he graduated from Norwood High School and received a master’s degree in science education from Canisius College, Buffalo. He served in the Navy during World War II and participated in the Normandy invasion.

He married Mary A. Awald on June 21, 1958, at Holy Spirit Church in North Collins with the Rev. Roman J. Ott officiating.

Mr. Babbitt served on the Springville board of education from 1971 to 1980. He was a member of Springville American Legion Post 431, was a former member of the Boy Scouts of America and served on the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, where he organized retreats. He was a merit badge counselor at Camp Scout Haven near Arcade and was a recipient of the St. George’s Award.

Surviving besides his wife are two sons, Timothy J. and Frederick L., both of Springville; two daughters, Maria A. Langerman, Perry, and Martha J. Tonellato, Niagara Falls; a sister, Mae Babbitt, Portland, Ore., and 10 grandchildren.

A son, Edmund L., and a daughter, Mary M. Babbitt, died before him.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Aloysius Church, Springville. Burial with military honors will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery. Arrangements are with Smith-Weismantel Funeral Home, Springville.

(From the Wednesday, September 7, 2005 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page D7).