Elwyn Vernon Harp, beloved husband of Elsie Harp, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2024. Born in New Paltz, NY on October 3, 1931, son of Peter and Stella Harp, he lived in West Hartford since 1985 when he retired from IBM after 32 years. “El” was predeceased by his first wife, Nancy Elsbree Harp; his daughter, Susan Santamauro and her husband Tony; his son, Jeffrey Harp; and his three brothers, Robert, Darrell, and Wendell Harp. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elsie; four of his children, Chris Harp of New Paltz, NY, Melissa Harden and her husband Richard of Mechanicsville, VA, Theodore Korth and his wife Kim of Franklin Lakes, NJ, and Carolyn Harp and her husband David Seligman of Upton, MA; and his daughter-in-law, Andrea Harp of Pine Brook, NJ. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Harden and his wife Angela, Erin Schwartz and her wife Sarah Bagierek, Ben Schwartz and his wife Sherin, Joe and Stella Harden, Owen Korth, Brynna and Ashlyn Seligman, and two great grandchildren, Remi Harden, and Ezra Schwartz.

El had a passion and enthusiasm for service and fostering meaningful relationships. Of his many endeavors at work, school, and in the community, his church involvement was especially important to him. Over the years, he served on the Session, chaired the Trustees, and spearheaded many service projects. El was proud of his graduating class from Union College. As their fund-raising agent, they regularly achieved 90% participation in annual fund drives. He received the Union College Gold Medal for his efforts. A proud American, he served in the US Naval Reserve. He was a Trustee Emeritus for the Huguenot Historical Society in New Paltz, NY, a member of the Executive Board of the West Hartford YMCA, and a former president of the Old Guard, from which he received the Lifetime Service Award. He was given a Proclamation by the mayor of West Hartford for his contributions and service to the town, which declared May 21, 2019 El Harp Day.

Above all his accomplishments, El loved his family and enjoyed time shared together, especially summers on Long Beach Island, NJ. An avid outdoorsman, El grew up with a connection to nature. His favorite pastimes included gardening, feeding the birds, deer hunting, and fishing - especially with his grandkids. When not outdoors, he was building birdhouses, fixing something (anything), or rooting for the Yankees. El was welcoming, kind, considerate, and always lifted up others. He will be missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 18, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford. To view a live stream of the Memorial Service or to leave an online condolence, please visit the Photos & Videos tab of Elwyn's webpage on the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home website at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com. 

In lieu of flowers, it was El’s wish that any tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to Westminster Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund or to the Elwyn & Elsie Harp Family Foundation at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.