Harry F. Bleakley Jr., a retired Baltimore County police sergeant and World War II combat veteran, died in his sleep of stroke complications Thursday at Stella Maris Hospice. The Glen Arm resident was 86.
Born in Baltimore and raised in Parkville, he was a 1941 graduate of Eastern Technical High School. He enlisted in the Army during World War II and served in the 102nd Infantry Division, known as "The Ozarks." He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded by shrapnel. Awarded the Purple Heart, he achieved the rank of staff sergeant and was recalled to active duty as a master sergeant during the Korean War, family members said.
In 1954 he joined the Baltimore County Police Department. He rose to the rank of sergeant and received a commendation for his service during 1972's Tropical Storm Agnes. He retired in 1976 from the Parkville Precinct. He then became director of security for Doxie Foods on Pulaski Highway, where he worked for several years.
Mr. Bleakley was among the founders of American Legion Post 183 on Putty Hill Road in Parkville. He was the post's commander from 1948 to 1949. He later helped run the American Legion Bingo Hall in Parkville for more than 30 years, family members said.
He was a Mason.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. March 7 at the Johnson Funeral Home, 8521 Loch Raven Blvd.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, the former Elsa E. Fischbach; a son, Harry F. Bleakley III of Abingdon; three daughters, Lynda Dubbs of Atlanta, Sherry Hoffen of Parkville and Kim Bleakley of Baltimore; and four grandchildren.