PLAINFIELD, Conn. – Harry Edward Booth, 99, of Griswold, Conn., died at the Villa Maria Nursing Home, Plainfield, Conn., on Monday, March 12, following years of declining health. When his death occurred, he was three months and five days shy of his 100th birthday.

He was born in Malden, Mass., June 16, 1907, the son John Edward and Hattie (Manser) Booth. He was the nephew of Judge Harry Manser.

He graduated from Hebron Academy in the Class of 1929 and the University of Maine in the Class of 1933. He was a track star at both schools setting records in the one mile run. He also set records in cross country track and was a member of the snowshoe team.

He married the former Lenora Pooler in 1934. She died in 1999. He then left Maine in early 2000 to be near his daughter. He lived at Windham Falls Estates in Groton after moving to Connecticut.

He was a forester working on Mount Katahdin before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps in Jefferson, and served there until it closed. He worked in the Portland Shipyard during World War II.

At the end of the war, he worked at the Auburn Post Office, leaving there in 1947 to work at the Mount Auburn Cemetery. He became the superintendent in 1950. While there, he became well-known for his ability to know exactly where every lot was located, who was buried there and to help those seeking information about their families.

He retired from Mount Auburn Cemetery in 1997 at the age of 90, after a 50-year career. He and his wife then lived in the former Penley home at 488 Turner St., Auburn, until her death.

He is survived by his daughter, Marjorie Booth Penley and her husband, Paul, of Griswold, Conn.; three grandchildren, Scott Penley and his wife, Imelda, and their children, Jonathan and Jordan of Stonington, Conn., Sgt. Lauren Penley, U.S. Army, stationed in Afghanistan, David Penley and wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter, Allison of Woodinville, Wash., and Lisa Penley Currier and her husband, Ward, and their children, Elizabeth and Dana of Griswold, Conn.; his sister, Anna O’Haire of Buxton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Ruth and Nora; and a brother, Edward Harry.