Harry A. Templeton, Jr.

Harry Albert Templeton Jr of Pawtucket RI passed away on March 7, 2026 after a courageous four year battle with cancer. He was born on January 22, 1937 to the late Marion (Brierley) Templeton and the late Harry Albert Templeton Sr. He is predeceased by his wife Audrey (Berry) Templeton whom he had been married to for 65 years. Harry is survived by his daughter Debra Foisy and her husband Stephen of Seekonk MA; his son, Richard Templeton and his wife Jennifer of Wakefield RI;  four grandchildren, Lauren Foisy and her husband James Rengstl of Pelham NY;  Evan Foisy and his wife Cherilyn of Medford NY; Kyle Templeton and Corey Templeton both of Wakefield RI; and three great grandchildren, Grayson Rengstl, Maren Rengstl and Calvin Foisy. He is also survived by his sister, Marcia Pepperd of Woonsocket RI.

Harry is a 1955 graduate of Pawtucket West High School and attended Roger Williams College part-time nights earning his bachelor’s degree Cum Laude in 1972. Upon graduating from high school, he worked as a stockman’s helper at Blackstone Valley Gas & Electric. Harry went on to have a lengthy career at BVG&E holding various positions in maps and records, laying poles and services and sales. He was a member and past president of the Electric League of RI and a member of the Electric Council of New England. He retired as Director of Consumer Services in 1997.

Harry served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and was a Training Officer of Flotilla 802.

Not one to sit idle, Harry was a member of Jenks Lodge No 24 F & AM, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Palestine Temple AAONMS, Grand Order of the Swords of Bunker Hill, Past President of the Lions Club of Pawtucket, Salvation Army of Pawtucket Board of Advisors, and the To Kalon Club of Pawtucket Board of Directors. Some of the most cherished positions he held were those that involved children. He was a Scout Master and a member of the Rhode Island Salt Water Angeler’s Association where one of his favorite activities was the annual Take a Kid Fishing Day.

After he retired, you could often find him fishing at Lincoln Woods and Narrow River, mating for his son on the charter boat Restless and quahogging in Potter Pond.

Harry still found time for hobbies despite his many commitments. Over the years, he carved and painted intricate wall hangings and sculptures. Preferring later in life to focus on smaller scale animals, figurines, trees, and Christmas ornaments. He said this gave him the time to make more items and spend less time painting (a task that he would say he didn’t enjoy as much as carving) so he would be able to share his art with more people.

Another thing he liked to share was his love for origami, which he taught himself while recuperating from open heart surgery. Practically everyone he met received one or more pieces of origami.

In his later years he took up ukelele. Not one to do things just a little bit, he became immersed in learning every aspect of playing. He owned three different ukeleles to be played in various settings. He joined the Rhode Island Strummers of Lincoln and the IBBT Group. When he wasn’t teaching his grandsons to play, he was performing at local venues in addition to gathering at weekly ukelele sessions.

We could go on and talk about the years spent dancing & square dancing with his beautiful wife, Audrey, and all the adventures and the places they traveled, but we will simply say we hope they find themselves reminiscing of a well lived full life.

His funeral services will be private. If you would like to donate in his memory please consider: Best Buddies of RI, PO Box 24, Providence, RI 02903, rhodeisland@bestbuddies.org or The Salvation Army of Pawtucket, 102 High Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.

To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.

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