Harold Edward Borlik

Harold E. Borlik, 84, of St. Joseph died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on June 13, 2020. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church Street, St. Joseph, at 1 PM on Thursday, June 18, with Father Arul presiding. Friends may visit with the family at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM then process to the church for the Mass. Inurnment will follow the service at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph with Military Rites provided by North Berrien Military Rites Team. The Mass and graveside service will be recorded and placed on the funeral home website following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Twin City Area Catholic School Fund. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Harold was born on November 4, 1935 in St. Joseph, the youngest of six children born to John P. and Nellie Augusta (Herman) Borlik. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1953, after which he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country until honorably discharged in 1956. He attended Benton Harbor Junior College and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Aquinas College. For the next fourteen years he was employed by Berrien Securities, Inc. in Benton Harbor, followed by twenty-five years of employment at Inter-City Bank/Chemical Bank, retiring as Vice-President/Trust Investment Officer in 1999. On August 20, 1960, Harold was united in marriage to Ruth Marie Diederich at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Harold enjoyed being a part of this community and volunteered his time to the Twin-City Area Catholic School Fund Board of Trustees, Lake Michigan Catholic Schools Board of Education, K D SA, Lions Club of Benton Harbor-Fairplain, North Lincoln Baseball Association, Birthright of St. Joseph, Inc. & Berrien Community Foundation. Each winter, Harold and Ruth spent time in Clearwater Beach, FL, where they enjoyed the warm weather and time with family and friends. Even in retirement, Harold kept busy with his investment clubs, lunches with former colleagues, and breakfasts with his ROMEO group. What brought Harold the most joy was spending time with his family. Whether it was cheering on his children and grandchildren from the bleachers during sporting events or holiday gatherings with everyone in attendance, just being together gave Harold the most joy and biggest smile because “nothing was too good for his family”. Harold is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Ruth; children, Mary Beth Carter, Laura Broccolo, Ann Marie Goodell, John (Barbara) Borlik and Jane Borlik; grandchildren, Matthew and Lauren Goodell and Jack and Luke Borlik; sisters, Ruth Ann Wagstaff and Mary Sanders; and sister-in- law, Dortha Borlik. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Raymond Borlik; sisters, Dorothy (Thomas) McGrath and Rose (Charles) Lysaght; brothers-in-law, Heber Wagstaff and Gerald Sanders; and son-in-law, Michael E. Carter.