by Kara Shreckengast
Harold “Hal” Ormondroyd, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on March 11 at the age of 93.
Ormondroyd’s life was deeply rooted in Hermosa Beach, where he resided in the family home built by his parents in the mid 1930s. He attended elementary school in Hermosa Beach, graduated from Redondo Union High School, where he played basketball, and obtained a master’s degree from UC Santa Barbara
He also proudly served his country in the Coast Guard.
Ormondroyd was a man of many passions, with deep-sea fishing and volleyball holding special places in his heart. Some of his favorite activities were embarking on fishing excursions with his friends and participating in volleyball tournaments on the weekends.
In 1957, he was introduced to his future wife, Patricia, by one of her roommates at the Poop Deck on The Strand. They married in December 1961, embarking on a journey of love that lasted an incredible 62 years.
Ormondroyd helped found the annual 17th Street Labor Day tournament. The weekend began with neighborhood children parading on decorated bikes singing the Mickey Mouse song. A runner with a flaming torch would signal the start of the games. His enthusiasm for this event never waned, even as he transitioned from an active participant to an enthusiastic observer.
In his later years, Ormondroyd found solace in simpler pleasures, such as walking to the top of the street to watch the sunset and chat with some friendly faces.
His life was a testament to the beauty of simple joys, the strength of enduring love, and the power of community in his forever home, Hermosa Beach.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Julie, son Mike, and granddaughter Kara.
