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Deban, Harry G. LTC

Male 1924 - 2006  (82 years)


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  • Name Deban, Harry G. 
    Suffix LTC 
    Birth 1924  Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Military 1942 
    US Army Air Corps, WW II 
    • Mr. Deban had a 32 year career in the US Air Force.
    Military 1950  Korea Find all individuals with events at this location 
    US Air Force 
    Death 30 Jan 2006  Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Burial 3 Feb 2006  Lewiston, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Address:
    Gate of Heaven Cemetery (43° 8' 50.45" N, 79° 1' 51.51" W) 
    Notes 
    • Lt. Colonel Harry G. DeBan, United States Air Force (retired), 82, of the Town of Wheatfield, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2006, in Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital after a valiant struggle with cancer and diabetes. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of Lebanese immigrants George and Sadie (DeWan) DeBan. Harry attended local schools, and graduated from Niagara Falls High School (Class of 1941). He then went on to college at Niagara University. After Pearl Harbor, Harry enlisted in the Army and was placed in the Ready Reserve, pending call-up to active duty. He completed training as an infantry medic, then was transferred to the Army Air Force and retrained as an electronics-radar specialist. He served on Guam with the 315th Bomb Wing of the 20th Air Force, following the recapture of the island. Upon return to the United States as a Staff Sergeant, and discharge from active duty, he immediately enlisted in the Active Reserve, and returned to school at Niagara University to complete his education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in 1948. He moved to the US Air Force in 1947 when it became an independent branch of service. Following graduation from Niagara University, he worked in local industry until recalled to active duty in 1950 for the Korean Conflict. In 1951 he received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, and married Jeannette Faddoul, at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Niagara Falls, NY. During this period of activation, Harry's service overseas included command of a communications group in North Africa (former North French Morocco), and as an armed military and diplomatic courier. Following discharge from active duty, and return to the Air Force Reserve in 1953, he, his wife, and their first child returned to Niagara Falls, and went on to reside in the Town of Wheatfield for over 50 years. The couple was blessed with nine children. As a member of the Air Force Reserve, Harry first served with the Buffalo Reserve Research and Development Unit, then transferred to the 914th Tactical Airlift Group, at the Niagara Falls Air Force Base. A graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Force, he served as Commander of the 914th Communications Flight, and as its technical advisor following that. Prior leadership roles included Finance Officer, and Ground Safety Officer. Harry attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was the recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze campaign stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation (WW-II) and the Outstanding Unit Award. He retired in 1979, after 36 and a half years of service to his Country. In civilian life, Harry was employed for 32 years as a Materials and Process Applications Engineer, and Contamination Control Specialist, at Bell Aircraft/Bell Aerospace. He worked, directly, on projects for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo Space Programs, and on the Minuteman Missile defense system, along with other military projects. Harry and Jeannette were married for over 50 years, until her passing in 2004. In addition to his wife, Harry was predeceased by their youngest daughter, Karen Elizabeth, his parents, brother Norman, and sisters Marie and Rose. Harry was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, in Niagara Falls, NY, for over 50 years and before that, Our Lady of Lebanon, also in Niagara Falls. Harry was extremely active with the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, and was a Fourth Degree member. In 1971, he was elected Faithful Navigator of Niagara Assembly of the Fourth Degree,. and in 1975, Grand Knight of Niagara Council 247. In 1976 he received the Father Meade Award, the Knight of the Year Award in 1979, and the Distinguished Knight Award in 1985. In 2003, the District Fourth Degree Exemplification Class was named in his honor. He was also active on the District and State levels, and was a long-time member of the 4th Degree Color Corps, and served for a number of years on the Scholarship Committee. Harry was a past-president of the the Retired Mens Service Club (Niagara Falls). He and Jeannette, were long-time volunteers with the former Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, helping staff the Gift Shop. They had also been active members of Our Lady of Lebanon Seniors, and the Wheatfield Seniors, and provided behind the scenes support for the Old Fort Niagara Publications Program and the International hosting program of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America. Duty to God, Family and Country were hallmarks of Harry's life.
    Person ID I5903  haseley
    Last Modified 25 Apr 2022 

    Father Deban, George N.,   b. 1884, Lebanon Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother DeWan, Sadie,   b. 1889, Syria Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1973, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years) 
    Marriage Abt 1908 
    Family ID F19081  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Faddoul, Jeannette,   b. 1923, Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 31 Jan 2004, Lewiston, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 81 years) 
    Marriage 1951  Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Address:
    Our Lady of Lebanon Church 
    Children 
     1. Deban, Harry Michael
     2. Deban, Marsha
     3. Deban, Denis
     4. Deban, Gary
     5. Deban, Donna
     6. Deban, Cynthia Anne
     7. Deban, Deborah J.,   b. 14 Aug 1962, Lewiston, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Mar 2019, Town of Wheatfield, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 56 years)
     8. Deban, Karen Elizabeth,   b. 17 Apr 1964, Lewiston, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 25 Jun 1964, Lewiston, Niagara, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 0 years)
     9. Deban, Armand
    Family ID F1990  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 1924 - Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMilitary - US Air Force - 1950 - Korea Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - Address:
    Our Lady of Lebanon Church - 1951 - Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York, United States
    Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 30 Jan 2006 - Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York, United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - Address:
    Gate of Heaven Cemetery (43° 8' 50.45" N, 79° 1' 51.51" W) - 3 Feb 2006 - Lewiston, Niagara, New York, United States
    Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Sources 
    1. [S17] Niagara Falls Gazette.