Harold G. Fulmer, III Harold G. Fulmer, III, 69, of Emmaus, passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital on December 3, 2009, surrounded by Judy, his wife of 34 years, his son Christopher and wife Ellie, daughter Lara, as well as many other family members. Harold was born October 24, 1940, in Allentown, PA, the son of the late Harold G. Fulmer, II, and Anna Gutshall Fulmer. Harold lived the classic Horatio Alger rags to riches story, along with a big dose of P.T Barnums acumen for promotion folded in. At age 16, Harold began his association with McDonalds flipping burgers on Lehigh Street for $1.00 an hour. He graduated from William Allen High School and went on to study towards his teaching credentials at Kutztown University. After 3.5 years of study, Harold dropped out of school because his entrepreneurial passions came to the forefront, yet the teacher in him remained. Working himself up from employee, to manager, and eventually to become a partner in a McDonalds by age 20, Harold, at age 26, borrowed $500,000 from the bank and bought out his partner. Along with the McDonalds, the deal also included granting Harold the exclusive right of first refusal to any future McDonalds site in the Lehigh Valley, and this became the foundation of Harolds corporation, HGF Group. Harold used the customer knowledge and experience he gained from operating his 17 McDonalds restaurants to initiate many firsts in the Lehigh Valley, such as drive-up windows, 24 hour service, as well as new paradigms for advertising and promotion on cable TV and radio. Over the years Harolds entrepreneurial spirit continued to expand as he parlayed his McDonalds successes into real estate and apartment complexes, growing HGF Group to include Evergreen Realty. Using his instinctive gifts as a promoter and marketer, Harold ventured into the broadcast business with the acquisition of local radio station WSAN, which eventually led him to purchase and operate a network of radio stations across Pennsylvania. In the late 70s and 80s Harold expanded into another aspect of the hospitality business, with the purchase of the Hotel Traylor in Allentown, the Sheraton Hotel in Easton, and the Boardwalk Motel and Marina, in Alexandria Bay, NY. Near the latter location, nestled in the beautiful St. Lawrence River, was Ina Island, a special spot where he and his extended family spent summers boating and fishing. Harold owned the Kutztown Airport and SkyKing Airways, which operated several fixed wing aircrafts and a helicopter that he used to travel to various enterprises as well as for aerial traffic reports for the radio stations. He also established a chain of quick print and copy shops known as Hamilton Printing, which were precursors to the Kinkos of today. After selling his McDonalds in the late 80s, Harold bought and built up the Js Steaks and Subs franchise. Harold believed in giving back to the community both through his generous philanthropy and by actively chairing fundraising drives for local organizations including Good Shepherd Home, Lehigh Valley Hospice, and the Mc Shea Center at DeSales University, amongst others. Harold was also very entrepreneurial and innovative in his approach to his community involvement and charity work, whether it was auctioning off cars for the Boy Scouts, providing apartments and hotel rooms to the Red Cross for disaster victims, personally serving Thanksgiving dinners with his family to hundreds of individuals with the Allentown Salvation Army. His 17 McDonalds also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the support of The Ronald McDonald House over the years, in addition to promotions for numerous local charities. He was also very active in Republican politics, and he and his wife attended a White House reception hosted by President Ronald Regan. In his business and financial dealings Harolds word was his bond. Harolds reputation was that of a hardworking, ethical, astute businessman and negotiator with a fierce competitive drive. His philosophy was that he was in business to be the best. Harold had a lean management style, but worked hard at teaching and training his 1,300 plus employees not only on how to operationally run every detail of a business, but also how to understand a P&L statement and take financial responsibility for their actions. Harold gave thousands of baby-boomers their first jobs, checking accounts, and cars, and encouraged many of them to move up the managerial ranks. Harold was a good listener, and kept curious about the many business dealings that came his way, always keeping a running list of ideas and opportunities for the future. In his private life, Harold was a rather shy and unpretentious person with two personal passions. Harold had a fascination with antique cars, a trait he inherited from his father with whom he restored many cars. At its peak, Harolds antique car collection consisted of a stable of over 140 cars, including 13 Rolls Royces, a Bentley, an original 1953 Corvette, an Indian Motorcycle collection, and a 1950 Jaguar once owned by Nelson Rockefeller. Harolds other great passion was outdoor sportsmanship. In the 70s Harold purchased a 1500-acre camp and retreat in northeast PA with several lakes, where he enjoyed farming, hunting and fishing with family and friends. Over the years he allowed employees and their families to use the facilities free of charge. A conservationist, Harolds land gifts include a passive park in Upper Milford Twp. Harold was a 32nd degree Mason and belonged to Jordan Lodge in Allentown. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his entrepreneurial talents and philanthropic work in the community. Survivors: In addition to his wife, Judy, of 34 years, he leaves son Christopher and daughter-in-law Ellie of Emmaus; daughter, Lara McLaughlin and son-in-law Don of Cupertino, CA; sons Harold and daughter-in-law Bonnie, and John and daughter-in-law Patti, of Elysberg, PA; his brother Robert of Lexington, SC; 5 grandchildren and another on the way; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves behind many, many people who are grateful to have shared his friendship, loyalty, and love throughout his life. Services: A memorial ceremony will take place Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM in St. Anns Catholic Church, 415 S. 6th Street, Emmaus, with Father Daniel G. Gambet officiating, followed by internment in the Fulmer plot in Springtown Cemetery. A viewing will be held Monday, December 7, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the Schantz Funeral Home, Inc., 250 Main Street, Emmaus with Masonic Services at 6:00 PM. Online condolences may be made to www.schantzfh.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Harolds name to the Boy Scouts of America, Minsi Trails Council, P.O. Box 20624, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002 or to Good Shepherd Rehab Network, Attention Development Office, 850 South 5th Street, Allentown, PA 18103.