ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: HARASTY, JAMES J Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: Bagnell & Son Funeral Home, Covington, La. Died Saturday, August 11, 2012 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= NOTE: If a Photo is available for an obituary record, a reference note will be included with the record. =========================================================== HARASTY, JAMES J December 9, 1939 - August 11, 2012 James John Harasty, 73, of Covington, LA passed away on August 11, 2012 after a long struggle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome that recently transitioned into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was born in Lorain, Ohio to James and Anna Urban Harasty. He graduated from Lorain High School in 1957, attended the Ohio State University for 2 years and completed his BS in Business Administration at Dyke College, graduated Magna Cum Laude. Jim served in the U.S Army Security Agency stationed in Ankara, Turkey where he received top-secret crypto security clearance. He worked in Public Accounting for 13 years with two CPA firms, Hausser & Heintel in Cleveland, OH and M. Zurich in Elyria, OH. He relocated to New Orleans in 1984 to join the Tom Benson Motor Company as an internal auditor for the numerous dealerships in New Orleans and San Antonio, TX. In 1986, he took the position of Treasurer of Benson Mercedes where he stayed for 17 years. In 2003, he became Controller of two Eddie Tourelle automobile dealerships. He retired in 2006. Jim was an avid golfer and a member of Covington Country Club. Jim is survived by his loving wife and partner of 28 years, Sally Taylor Harasty; his daughter, Amy Harasty Feinstein (Jeff), Roswell, GA, and son James F. Harasty, North Olmstead, OH; step children Vivian Taylor Perry (Ken) and Robert Taylor Jr.; grandchildren Morgan, Savannah, Justin, Jamie, Ally, and Lindsay; his sister Rosemary Yakovich (Joe), Lorain, OH and nephews Jeff, Jim, and Jack Yakovich and their families. He was preceded in death by his father, his mother, and his sister, Betty Ann Frankeburger. Jim felt extremely fortunate to have the love and support of his step-daughter Vivian, son-in-law Ken, and step-son Robert. Vivian provided unwavering support from the day of Jim’s diagnosis in March 2009 through the entire journey of his illness Jim’s funeral will be held at Mary Queen of Peace Church in Mandeville on Thursday, August 16th with visitation from 11 AM to 12 PM and a funeral mass at noon. Those of you who share Jim’s passion for golf may honor him by wearing your golfing attire. Interment will be held at St. Joseph’s Abbey in mid-September 2012. The family requests that any donations be made in Jim’s name to the Aplastic Anemia & MDS Foundation ===================