One of the pioneer residents of Marian Manor, and the oldest, 96-year-old Harry Ormond, died Jan. 6 at the residence where he had lived for the last three years.

A familiar face at many archdiocesan parish and Catholic school gatherings, Mr. Ormond was active up until his death, taking part the night before in a weekly rosary at the Knights of Columbus hall where, as was his custom, he led the recitation of one of the decades. He died quietly in the morning at Marian Manor, the archdiocese’s residence for frail elderly where 15 people live in community.

“He was proud to be the oldest (resident) and was there from the beginning,” said Sister Carol Bartol, B.N.S.H., manager of Marian Manor. “One of the consoling things’ to the staff and residents of Marian Manor was that he did not have to go to a hospital or nursing home, but remained at the Manor until he died.

A surveyor by profession, Mr. Ormond was a lover of music, Sister Bartol said, especially opera, traditional Catholic hymns and Irish music. Parishioners from Immaculate Heart of Mary parish came faithfully to the Manor to take Mr. Ormond to daily Mass at the parish church. One of his regular drivers later became ill and was hospitalized and Mr. Ormond asked to be taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital to visit his friend. The man was deeply moved by the sight of his 95-year –old friend coming to visit, Sister Bartol said.

He was also fond of children and several IHM students who visited the Manor became his close friends. “He went to everything he was invited to,” including drama productions at St. Pius X High School and IHM and Holy Cross parish events, senior citizens’ liturgies and social occasions. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., he grew up in New York and had lived in Atlanta since 1956 where his daughter, Mrs. Mary Jansen, lives. Always active, Mr. Ormond was a frequent visitor to the Catholic Center for Mass before he moved to Marian Manor and traveled independently into his nineties. One IHM student was interviewing him as part of a living history project at the school this year.

His funeral Mass, which was to include the traditional hymns he loved, took place Mon., Jan. 11 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Atlanta. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by four grandchildren, Mrs. Mary Richmond of Marietta; Mrs. Katherine Norris of Norcross; Mrs. Carol Stelling of Marietta and Joseph Cusick of Atlanta; a nephew and seven great-grandchildren.