Frederick Harney Jr

Frederick Bartholomew Harney, Jr. age 96, of Ocala, FL passed away on December 7, 2022. He was born on April 30, 1926, in Worcester, MA, oldest son of the late Frederick B. and Lena (Blanchard) Harney, Sr.  He leaves behind his wife Muriel, two sons, Thomas Harney and Michael (Opalene) Harney, a daughter Deborah (David) Harney-Irish, a sister Joyce (Roger) Dubuque, six grandchildren Robert, Bryan, Victoria, Danny, Taylor, and Mallory, eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also a loving stepfather to Muriel’s children Eric (Maruchy) LaChance, Leon LaChance, Matthew (Carrie) LaChance and Amy (Cliff) Gross and all of their children. He was pre-deceased by two brothers Paul (Patty) Harney and Lawrence (Donna) Harney and a sister Gertrude (George) Ferris.

Fred lived a very full and storied life. He was a driven and determined businessman and a compassionate father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, and community advocate. He graduated from Holy Cross in 1949 and began a career in sales and as he would say selling everything from Dry Gas to Fuller brushes. In the early 1960’s, he pioneered the concept of one stop shopping from a traditional small single market approach with the opening of Harney’s in South Dennis. He grew the store from a small package store to a Super Store concept including groceries, drugstore, restaurant, etc. which became an institution on the Cape. During this time, he was also a bail bondsman who represented everyone including the homeless and the in-need community as outreach to fulfill his community spirit.

He also pursued a passion with racing greyhounds throughout the country. Later in life he was the Owner/Operator of Ocala Jai Alai in which he opened a successful poker annex. At the same time, he was developing industrial property in Ocala in the Meadowbrook development.

Fred also had many philanthropic endeavors throughout his life. He was an advocate/fundraiser for the Plymouth based Sisters of Charity and St. Joan of Arc as well as Our Lady of the Cape. He was a Lions club member and visionary for those in need through his benefacting in the Dennis community donating from Harney’s Super Store to all those in need.

He was an early leader, proud of his Irish history, with a drive that had a hands-on approach, a generous smile and a heart given to all. He lived his life motto of “Never Give Up”! A memorial mass has been scheduled for Friday December 16, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church with interment following at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens.