Harold Sutherland

Harold Walter Sutherland, Jr. passed away on November 23 after a short illness. Devoted wife Barbara J. Sutherland nee: Smith, who passed away August 26; beloved father of Katherine E. Sutherland and partner Grant A. Strebel, stepfather to Kristan H. Mason and husband C. Todd Mason, and Benjamin M. Cox and wife Kristen L. Cox; and loving step grandfather of Brittnie A. Lauderdale and husband Timothy G. Lauderdale, Haley N. Mason, B. Dawson Cox, and Saige N. Cox; preceded in death by his sister Hilary Ahuja nee: Sutherland; and beloved cousin to his large extended family and cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Harold was born on the North Side of Chicago, making many friends in the neighborhood, and at St. Michael's Catholic Church and DePaul Academy, many of whom he kept in touch with throughout his adult life. He was an elite track athlete, which took him to college on scholarship, and earned a degree in English from University of Illinois. He was also an alternate for the Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan in 1964 for the hurdles. He spent several decades working in the print industry before he developed a passion for wine. After owning a wine and cheese shop in Bloomingdale, Illinois, with Barbara, he took on a career in the wine shop at the Marshall Field's flagship store on State Street before retiring after many years in the business.

Harold was an enthusiastic storyteller, enjoyed gatherings with good food and drinks, and traveling with his wife and family. He loved art collecting, dogs, playing golf, and learning and sharing history about his hometown of Chicago. He was known within the family for his great style and sense of humor, which is already dearly missed at family gatherings. The legacy of the family he built with Barbara will live on through the children and grandchildren they so greatly loved.

A memorial will be held in the future; please contact the family for further details. In lieu of  flowers, please make a contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Friends of the Forest Preserves or your favorite charitable organization.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.