Harold T. Pontius of Delray Beach, Florida, and Banner Elk, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, at 85 years of age.
Harold was born in Lancaster on April 27, 1930, and lived in central Ohio for many years.
Harold was an entrepreneur, founder and Chairman of the Board of Columbus Industries Inc. of Ashville.
Harold enjoyed being involved in organizations such as the Boca Raton Economic Club and YMCA and took great pleasure in helping those less fortunate by investing his time and energy in many projects that enriched many lives. These organizations included the Boca Raton Regional Hospital, The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, Adopt a Family, Grandfather Children’s Home, High Country Charitable Foundation, Tri-County Animal Shelter, Avery County Animal Shelter and many others.
Harold attended the Spanish River Church of Boca Raton, Florida. Harold was a graduate of The Ohio State University and an avid supporter with a special passion for The Best Damn Band and Football Team in the Land. Harold was proud of the fact that he was a member of the band. At Ohio State he was a member of the ROTC and upon graduation was a lieutenant in the Air Force. The fall of the year was always a special time for Harold.
Harold was the son of James T. and Esther Pontius of Lancaster. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy; children, Deborah (Wayne) Vickers and Jeffrey (Jill) Pontius; grandchildren, Josh (Beth) Vickers, Courtney (Matt) Sands, Bryan Vickers, Matthew Pontius, Jacob Pontius and Lukas Pontius; great-grandchildren, Henry Vickers and Vanessa Sands; mother-in-law, Dolores Zaeske; sisters-in-law, Margie Janiszewski, Jayne Zumbo and Karen (Ted) Jakubiak; brother-in-law, Robert Zaeske; nieces and nephews, Michael (Jessica) Janiszewski, Lindsey Jones and Alexandra Jakubiak; and last but not least, Harold will miss and be missed by his beloved dogs, Nikki and Katie.
Harold enjoyed the fellowship of many clubs that would include Muirfield Village Golf Club, Muirfield Village Country Club, Catawba Island Club, Ocean Reef Club, Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, Delray Beach Club, Elk River Club and Diamond Creek. Harold enjoyed boating, golfing, college football and evaluating real estate and other business opportunities.
Harold never knew a stranger and found great pleasure in making all of his many friends smile as a result of his quick wit and sense of humor.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2014, at Glick Funeral Home, 3600 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, Florida. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Chapel at the Spanish River Church in Boca Raton, 2400 Yamato Rd., Boca Raton, Florida. Interment will follow immediately after at the Boca Raton Mausoleum.
Additional services will be held in Columbus, Ohio, and Banner Elk, North Carolina. Dates for these services will be established at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boca Raton Regional Hospital or one of Harold’s charities listed above.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
