Obituary of Harold Gordon Pickel

On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Harold Gordon Pickel passed gently in his sleep to join his beloved wife Beatrice, ?Bee?. Hal was born April 29, 1920, in Denver, Colorado. He is survived by his second wife Morna MacLeod, his son Steve Pickel of Marin County, his daughter Sally Garrison of Monterey, his granddaughters Danielle Dearing and Marci Montes, his three grandsons David Garrison, James and Tyler Pickel, and his five great-grandchildren Justin and Kyle Dearing, Tierra Pickel, Brooke Montes and Alexis Garrison. Most of Hal?s life was lived in southern California where he became one of the first wood longboard surfers. Surfing remained a passionate pursuit until responsibilities as husband, father and then soldier in the Second World War required his whole attention. As an Army corporal, Hal served as a forward spotter during the Battle of the Bulge. Injuries were dismissed with the swallow of two aspirins and advice to check with the ?doc? when he could. During one particularly dangerous night, with artillery and arms fire close to his position, Hal promised God that if he lived through the night he would never again complain. He never did. Hal?s engaging smile and cheerful disposition collected lifelong friends. At the age of 60, when his contemporaries were considering retirement, Hal took off for Hawaii to start a new business venture. The previous years-after experience as a 17-year-old store owner, a welder, a builder-Hal had followed in his father?s footsteps and become a food broker. Hal?s laid-back, whimsical style won the business of Hawaiian, Chinese and Japanese store owners in the Islands and his contemporaries honored his success with the Presidencv of Hawaiian Food Brokers. Hal was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. Rather than sending glowers, Hal-if he were here-would encourage his family and friends to adopt a needy child. He had two. Private arrangements by Mission Mortuary, Monterey, California.