(Photo: 1966 Portsmouth High School Yearbook)

While I was a student at Portsmouth High School, I met a wonderful teacher who became a life long friend; his name was Harold G. Crossman, Jr. Mr. Crossman taught biology for more than 30 years and served for many of those years as chairman of the science department at PHS.

Harold was born in Claremont, NH on March 18, 1922, the son of Harold G. Sr. and Marjorie (Stevens) Crossman. He graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont in 1940 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1948. In 1973 he was awarded a Master’s Degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

Harold proudly served in the United States Army during World War II and retired from the Army Reserves after 20 years of service with the rank of captain. In later years, Harold served as an elected member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the City of Portsmouth and served in that body for two terms.

Harold was an active participant in many endeavors. He was a member of AARP; Frank E. Booma Post #6, American Legion of Portsmouth; a member of Senior Friends; a past president of Sherburne Civic Association; a past president of Sherburne PTA; a past president of Portsmouth Teachers Association; a member of NH Retired Education Association; and president of the Southeastern Retired Educators Association.

Harold and his wonderful wife Janette shared 55 years together. They lived on Sherburne Road in Portsmouth and had two children, Bro. Douglas H. Crossman who joined our Lodge while I was Master in 1988, and Judith C. Prince.

Brother Harold was an active member of the Masonic Fraternity. He joined St. John’s Lodge on June 20, 1951 and was installed as our 136th Worshipful Master in 1998. In his Masonic career, he sought additional light through the York and Scottish Rites and was an active member in both bodies. He was a member of Bektash Temple, AAONMS, and was a past president of Patrol C and the Portsmouth Shrine Club.

For those of you who knew Brother Harold, you will understand when I say how fortunate I was to have him as a high school teacher. In the class room, as he was in the Lodge room, he was gentle and kind, witty and spirited, and to his students and fellow teachers alike, he was very much admired and respected. He was a fine man of immense wisdom and down-to-earth common sense, and was always quick to offer a warm hand in genuine brotherly love and friendship.

One day some 30 years ago, while standing together in the hallway outside of his class room, I asked Mr. Crossman, “What does the “G” in Harold G. Crossman stand for…?” He immediately replied – “Jelly Cream - just like a donut!” We laughed; and I never forgot. Years later, each time we greeted each other in our Lodge room, I would say, “Harold G. Crossman, Jr. - and the G stands for - …?” To which he would proudly reply – “Jelly Cream!” We did that hundreds of times and we laughed every time!