Harry Edward Brazier

It was a cold winter night in December 1943 and Santa forgot to drop off a Christmas gift at the Brazier's residence. He finally backtracked the next day, December 26, 1943 and delivered Harry.
Harry E. Brazier, Jr. was born in Newark, New Jersey where he lived until age 5. His family then moved to the suburban town Nutley, NJ where he attended St Mary's Grammar School. Harry attended Our Lady Queen of Peace Boy's High School graduating in 1961 as the first Black student to graduate. While Harry was going to school, he at one time thought of being a Priest, but later found that he really didn't have the calling. During his freshman year in high school, he met his wife Mary, who was a nurse's aide caring for Harry's mother. They dated all during their high school years.
Harry enrolled into American Academy in New York to become a Mortician but he never showed up for class. Instead, the day that he was supposed to start, Harry was at Parris Island Marine Corps Boot Camp. Harry had many adventures during his tour of duty. He was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Santo Domingo Civil War, and Vietnam War. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps, Harry returned to Nutley, NJ only to find Mary was now dating her JUDO Instructor. After a long walk through the park looking at Cherry Blossoms in route to visit Mary's mother Harry made a bet with his cousin that he could win Mary back. Victory was in sight and with no casualties Harry was able to win back the love of his life. Harry moved to Connecticut in search of a job because he was getting married and needed to earn money quickly. He began his career with Pratt and Whitney in 1966 where he worked for a total of 33 years and became one of the first Black supervisors. Starting out on the third shift, then first shift, and worked many years on second shift when he became a Foreman in 1974. While at Pratt and Whitney, he went to Middlesex Community College and earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration. Well 33 years later, Harry and Mary raised two sons, Harry III (Eddie) and Tyrell (Ty).
Harry was one of the first Black Drill Instructors to train mixed recruits. He also worked with Young Marines of the Marine Corps League. After retiring, Harry moved to North Carolina in 2000 and built his retirement home where he and his wife Mary spent the rest of his life together. He worked several small jobs in security, at AAD and in transportation. He also worked with Durham Little League Baseball. After a brief illness, Harry departed this life on April 5th, 2019 at 7:45am.
Harry leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted wife, Mary; his three sons, Tyrell, Harry III and Bryant; two daughters, Coralee Frazier and Christine Graichen; three grandchildren, Micheal, Maiya, and Matthew Brazier; one sister, Francine Holder; one uncle, Arthur Glover; nephews, Keith Brazier and Lamar Holder; niece, Grace, and a host of cousins, family and friends.

Funeral Service
Saturday, April 13
3:00 PM
Feggins & Feggins Funeral Service, Inc.
430 N. White St.
Wake Forest, NC 27587