On November 18, 2025, Harold F. Tighe, Jr. passed away in the arms of his wife in Phoenix, Arizona, nearly 19 years after receiving an organ transplant.

Harold was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother.

Harold was the second oldest child of five and he grew up as an “Army brat,” born in Brooklyn, with a childhood near bases in Cape Cod, Mississippi and eventually Washingtonville (Orange County, NY) where he graduated from high school. He graduated from SUNY Brockport, where he met his beloved wife Lillian, and received a Master’s Degree from SUNY New Paltz.

He was married to Lillian for more than 51 years and they enjoyed world travel, musical theater, and the Mets. He once told his only daughter Julie that his biggest failing as a parent was that she grew up to be a Yankee fan.

Tighe spent many years teaching science at Liberty High School where he also coached softball, football, and soccer, including coaching his daughter for several years sometimes resulting in spirited exchanges. In addition, he spent time working at the Livingston Manor school district and Monticello High School. He enjoyed playing golf and basketball.

For many years, Harry and Lillian served in a folk mass group, where he played guitar and sang at several Catholic Churches.

Later in life, Harry developed a love of the theater and acted, directed, built sets and served as Treasurer of the board of the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop. His favorite role to play was Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, which he performed at the Rivoli Theater in Fallsburg. Tighe was also a member of the board of the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless.

He is survived by his wife Lillian (Walsh) Tighe, daughter Julia Tighe, his sister Gale (Tighe) Snide, brothers Gary and Timothy Tighe, many nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Harold F. and Josephine (Fox) Tighe, and “his sister”, Harriet (Tighe) Eastman.

Services will be held in New York State at a date and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless or Donate Life NYS.