WAKEFIELD — Harold J. Muise, age 92, of Wakefield died peacefully from complications from throat cancer on Saturday, September 4 at the Lahey Medical Center in Burlington.
Born in Wakefield on January 26, 1929, he was the son of the late Edmund and Edith (Fraughton) Muise.
Mr. Muise had been a lifelong resident of Wakefield and graduated from WHS in the same class as General Galvin, 1947. He was proud of his time in the Army National Guard where he was discharged as a master sergeant. He worked a few jobs before becoming a carpenter and was a well-respected finish carpenter. He worked on many homes and businesses in the local area and took care of small projects for many friends.
In 1951 he married Marie (Bourque) Muise and together the two had five children. Mr. Muise updated and remodeled much of their family home himself over the years. Also musically talented, he played stand-up bass in many combos for weddings, dances, etc. and was an excellent harmonica player. One of his last comments was that would miss playing his harmonicas. He loved playing for friends.
Additionally, he had many hobbies, including doing wood carvings by hand – each made from a single block of wood; making very intricate bowls, baskets, goblets, and modern art forms, crafting hand painted butterflies made from balsa wood and hand painted dragonflies. He enjoyed painting and cooking shows on TV; he loved to eat – fried clams were a favorite and he was always rating the various locations. Mr. Muise also loved to read, he constantly had a book at hand, mostly fiction, but also historical books. Most of all, he really liked sitting around and telling stories of his life, often humorous, to whomever was there.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Alpheus Muise and his son Dana A. Muise. He is survived by wife of almost 70 years Marie C. (Bourque) and his sons Alan and his wife Nancy of Alaska, Martin and his wife Nancy of Norfolk, Louis and his wife Lauren of Wakefield, and Kenneth of Haverhill; his sister Lucille Bean; his grandchildren David, Daniel, Kerry, Christina, Stephanie, Tara; great grandchildren Seth, Mason, Adam, Noah, Jackson, and Isabelle and his daughter-in-law Diane.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield on Tuesday, September 14 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a favorite charity.
Arrangements in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.
