FLY CREEK-Bruce Harold Harter age 89, passed away on Monday December 15, 2014 in his home. He was the husband of Caroline S. Harter and son of the late Harold N. and Mabel Filkins Harter. Bruce was born at his grandparents' farm in Jordanville on June 11, 1925. Dr. Edgar Swift was the attending physician. His mother and father later moved from the farm into the village, where they lived for a time with Mrs. Sophie Swift, widow of Dr. Swift. Later Bruce's parents purchased the John Kobe house on Johnny Cake Street (the road to the Jordanville Quarry). His grandparents then moved to the former Wilkerson house across from the Jordanville school (now the Town Office building). Bruce attended that two-room school until 8th grade, after which he attended Owen D. Young Central School in VanHornesville. He graduated in 1943 and continued to assist his parents with their chicken broiler business. In June of 1944, at the age of 19, Bruce left to serve in the US Army. After basic training, he became a machine gunner in the Timberwolves Division of the 104th Infantry. He served in Germany and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. Bruce was mustered out in December of 1946, after which he bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle and a military jeep and joined his parents in the operation of "Lime Top Farms", raising registered Holstein cattle. On August 7, 1949, in a ceremony at the North Burke Presbyterian Church on the New York-Canadian border, Bruce married Caroline Mary Swanston, a native of the Burke and Chateaugay area in northern New York. Bruce and Carol made their home in Jordanville, Carol taught at the Richfield Springs Central School until June of 1951. In June of 1967 they sold Lime Top Farms and moved to the Swift House at the intersection of Route 167 and the VanHornesville Road. After selling the farm, Bruce became a substitute mail carrier on his father's mail route-Jordanville Route #1. After his father's retirement from the US Postal Service, Bruce took over the mail route and he was permanently appointed as a USPS mail carrier in the spring of 1967. In 1974, Bruce transferred to Cooperstown, where he served Rural Route #3 until June of 1986 when he retired. After both he and Carol retired they moved from Jordanville to Burlington Flats, and then to Fly Creek. To all who knew Bruce, they will never forget a man who loved to work and help others. His favorite hobby (besides work) was reloading ammunition and target shooting, always trying to "tighten the group". A true gentleman, loving husband and father, he will be sorely missed. Surviving are his beloved wife of sixty-five years Carol, their four children, all of whom survive; Lucinda G. Henson of Fly Creek, Melissa F. Harter Tangemann and her husband Charlie of Cheyenne, WY, Janet H. Garrity Beaufort, SC, and Jason B. Harter and his wife Jeanine of Fly Creek, he is also survived by his grandchildren, Janelle B. Harter of Fly Creek, Brant Henson and his wife Audrey, Jonathan B. Henson and a great granddaughter, Caroline M. Henson all of Manchester, KY, a brother-in-law, John G. Swanston and his wife Shirley of Chateaugay, a sister-in-law, Genevieve L. Gero and her husband Ernest of Burke. Bruce will also be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, all of whom were his friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-on-law Bud Garrity. Calling hours for Mr. Harter will be on Saturday January 10, 2015, from 10:00 until 12:00 noon in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street; Richfield Springs. A Memorial Service will follow in the funeral home at 12:00 noon. The Reverend William Delia, Pastor of the Cooperstown United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will take place later next spring in Highland Rural Cemetery, Jordanville. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care or the Wounded Warriors Project. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Calling Hours J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Saturday, January 10, 2015 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Memorial Service J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Saturday, January 10, 2015 12:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439