Harry Dale Podgurski

Harry Dale Podgurski, 88, of Canton, NY passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Raleigh, NC, where he was surrounded by his family. Over the span of nearly nine decades, Harry built a life and legacy centered around faith and family.

Born in Massena, NY on December 5th, 1937, Harry was the son of Harry and Ella Podgurski. Following graduation from Massena High School, he attended St. Bonaventure, where he earned a degree in history in 1960. Before continuing his higher education, Harry enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Company B of the 560th Signal Battalion for three years in Vicenza, Italy. During his service, Harry was assigned to Army Command, which was responsible for supporting NATO and U.S. Army Europe Operations, primarily in Southern Europe. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1964. Upon returning home, Harry married Margaret (Peggy) Fay in Massena, NY in 1965 and received a Fellowship from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, where he graduated with a master’s in counseling. Harry then returned to the North Country to raise his family and begin a career that would span decades and touch thousands of lives at the State University of New York at Canton (ATC) as the Director of Counseling.

Harry’s faith was a guiding hand in his life. He studied Catholicism and was an active member of the church. Harry was quick to lend a hand to friends and neighbors, and cherished time spent with his family. At family gatherings, he could often be found manning the grill or supervising his sons, nephews, or nieces, to whom he passed the grilling tongs. If you had to pleasure of attending a family BBQ, you know the legend that was Harry’s cheeseburger. Aside from cooking, Harry was an avid reader. He enjoyed books about history and loved traveling, whether he was taking a cross-country trip with Peggy, visiting his children and grandchildren, or attending a sporting event. And though Harry was a diehard fan of the Fighting Irish, he enjoyed cheering on teams in all sports, especially if family members were on the court or field.

One of Harry’s greatest passions was music. A baritone and classically trained opera singer, Harry was humble about his talent, yet generous with his gift. He performed in many venues throughout the country in his young adult life, and when he settled in upstate New York to raise his family with Peggy, he shared his voice with his new community. Family and friends, who visited the house or called Peggy on the phone, were often treated to an impromptu concert by Harry singing along with Bing or Frank while he watched one of his favorite film classics. Harry also raised his voice in faith. If St. Augustine was correct and “he who sings prays twice,” then Harry prayed tenfold at mass. His powerful voice and beautiful timber filled the churches he attended and encouraged others to lift their voices in song and prayer, whether he was singing Ave Maria to celebrate a marriage or How Great Thou Art to bid a loved one goodbye. He was a member of community churches and choirs including St. Mary’s in Canton and the St. Lawrence University choir. For many years, Harry combined his love of music with his love of sports by singing the National Anthem at St. Lawrence University hockey games. Without a microphone, Harry’s voice rang through the wooden rafters of Appleton Arena, lifting fans to their feet and energizing players before they hit the ice. After retirement, Harry and Peggy wintered in Cary, NC, where Harry added his voice to the choir of St. Michaels the Archangel.

As our family and community mourn the loss of Harry, we lift our voices to share our cherished memories of the husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor, counselor, and friend, who lifted his voice in song and support for those honored enough to have been a part of the beautiful opus of his life.

Harry’s legacy of loved ones includes his spouse of sixty-one years Margaret (Peggy) Fay Podgurski, son Gregory (Atsuko) Podgurski of Arundell, Maine, and son Christian (Jennifer) Podgurski of Willow Spring, North Carolina. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Allina, Maris, Nicholas, Connor and Max, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, whom he loved very much.

Harry was preceded by his father Harry Podgurski, mother Ella Winslow Podgurski of Massena NY, sister Ann Sigouin of Camp Hill, PA, and sister, Sheila Sparling of Painted Post, NY.

Mass of Christian Burial will be in early April of this year.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Judes Medical Center or the SUNY Canton Scholarship Foundation for the Harry and Ella Winslow Podgurski Scholarship Fund.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements for Harry Dale Podgurski are under the care of the O’Leary Funeral Service of Canton.