On January 29, 1925 in Huntsville, Alabama this world was blessed to receive Harold E. Brake, born to the late Henry and Mary Bell (Coleman) Brake. In the 1930's his parents moved him and his two older sisters, Eunice Carolyn and Thelma Elizabeth to Akron, Ohio.
As a young man, he served in the US Army in WWII. Upon returning from the war, he attended and graduated from John Carroll University in Berea, Ohio with a Bachelors Degree in Science (Chemistry). He then moved to Chicago, Illinois and later Detroit, Michigan where he married the love of his life, Dorothy G. Sanders also from Akron, Ohio, and they began their life journey together raising three sons Brian, Kevin, and Darryl.
During this time he worked as an insurance agent while completing his Masters Degree in Education at Eastern Michigan University. Through his love of teaching and his heart for his students, he soon began making an impression on so many lives in the Highland Park school district where he worked as a teacher, counselor, principal, and vice-principal retiring in 1987. As a man of faith, he prayed to the Lord for his students every morning before going to work.
He and his wife, Dorothy loved to travel and were avid bowlers who often played on multiple leagues at the same time. It was a sport he participated in into his 90's.
He has always been, and will always be known as a man of integrity and principle who loved his family and was especially proud of his three sons.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy, two older sisters, Eunice and Thelma, daughter-in-law, Susan Brake, and nieces Alyce B. Gambrell, Robin M. Berry, and Sharon Becker.
He leaves to cherish his memory, and his many golden nuggets of wisdom his three sons Brian Brake, Kevin (Brenda) Brake, and Darryl (Yvonne) Brake, special cousin Dorman Brandon, Jr., nephew Nathan Gamble, 11 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews whom he deeply loved, as well as a multitude of close friends.
The family wishes to express deep appreciation to his nephew, Dr. Stanley M. Berry who was not only a close friend but also provided assistance during Harold's brief illness.