Harold G. Waterhouse, Sr.

Harold G. Waterhouse, Sr., age 93, a resident of Dracut and a former longtime resident of Lowell, died on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at his home, with his wife Marion (Pitts)(Berard) Waterhouse, by his side.

Harold was born on February 28, 1931, the son of the late George H. Waterhouse and Jeannette Martin.  He grew up in the Lowell section known as the Acre where he attended local schools and formed fond memories that lasted throughout his life.

Before joining the Lowell Police Department in 1958 he held a job as an experimental machinist with the Honeywell Company on Middlesex Street in Lowell. He was also an EMT with the Gold Cross Ambulance Service for many years.

Harold was appointed to the Lowell Police Department in 1958 and graduated from the State Police Academy - Police Training in 1962.  For over 30 years, Harold served on the force in many capacities; a patrolman, Car 2 in Centerville, the accident bureau and finally in 1975, the arson squad which he formed at the request of Superintendent of Police Leonard McPhail and Fire Chief Paul Beauregard due to his background and experience in both police and fire departments.  In the area of arson squad he was proud to have as his partner and friend Lt. William Gilligan.  Harold was also extremely proud of the fact that he was instrumental in establishing the American Red Cross Disaster Services in the Merrimack Valley, of which he was involved with for 54 years.

In 1972 he completed and received a certificate in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire as an EMT and Instructor.  One of the first three thousand issued in the country number being 2958.

In 1976 Harold was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff for Middlesex County and remained in this position until his retirement in 1989.

In 1977 he was named Police Officer of the year by the Lowell Exchange Club “In recognition of his outstanding devotion, loyalty and dedication to the performance of his duties as a member of the Lowell Police Department.”

Upon his retirement from the arson squad in September of 1989, Harold received a Citation from the State House of Representatives and the Massachusetts State Senate, “In recognition of the occasion of his retirement after 30 years of dedicated service from the Lowell Police Department.” He also received citations from the City of Lowell Fire Department, for 30 years of service by Richard Howe, Mayor, the City of Lowell Police Department for a “True, Efficient, Dedicated, and Trusted Officer,” The American Red Cross, Certificate of Appreciation and Outstanding Community Service and Dedication, Massachusetts Senate: Congratulations “In recognition of 31 years of dedicated service to  the Lowell Police Department, a Retirement Award, “In recognition of dedicated service to the citizens of Lowell which reflected great credit on all his fellow police officers,” and the City of Lowell Outstanding Citizen of Lowell, Massachusetts by Mayor Richard Howe.  In 1994 he received The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership, the highest award to be given to a volunteer.  In 1998 Harold received a Resolution for the Massachusetts House of Representatives and a Congressional Proclamation by Marty Meehan for 50 years of service to the American Red Cross and the Merrimack Valley Chambers of Commerce Outstanding Valley Volunteer for 50 years of helping disaster victims.  In 2003 he received the Key to the City from Mayor Rita Mercier and the “Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by The Exchange Club given for his many years of professional service in the area of arson investigations,” as well as the Life Time Achievement Award for 50 years volunteer with the American Red Cross and in 2004 he was recognized as Volunteer of the Year at Saints Medical Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Also upon his retirement he was made and honorary Lowell Fire Chief.

While in his retirement he co-authored a book in 2015 with Captain Jason Strunk, LFD, titled, A25: Stories from Lowell’s First Arson Squad.

For over 35 years he served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Lithuanian and Immaculate Conception Churches bringing communion to those hospitalized at Saints Memorial Hospital. Harold was also an active member and communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell.

In addition to his wife Marion, he is survived by his daughter, Donna Reidt of Vermont; a son, Harold G. Waterhouse, Jr., of Florida; Marion’s daughter, Patricia Redman and her husband Barry and their family; along with several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his wife Loretta (Nannery) Waterhouse; his sons, Miles and Lister; his son-in-law, James Reidt; his brothers, Lester and his wife Madeline and George and his wife Rita; and his sisters, Miriam Le May and her husband Raymond and Evelyn Boyle and her husband Edward. 

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 30, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 144 E. Merrimack St., Lowell.  His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday morning, July 1, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church.  Burial will follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery, 1251 Gorham St., Lowell. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting, donations be made to the Immaculate Conception Church, Building Fund, 3 Fayette Street, Lowell, MA 01852 or to The Harold G. Waterhouse, Sr., Memorial, c/o Washington Savings, 101 Broadway Rd., Dracut, MA 01826 to continue to support charities near and dear to Harold.

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