Etore Harabalja

Etore Harabalja, 88, of Natick and formerly of Miholašćica, Croatia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, after a lengthy illness. 

Predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Maureen deBettencourt Harabalja, his parents, Gaudencio and Kristina (Saganić) Harabalja, his sisters, Roža and Maria, and his brother Mario Harabalja. Survived by his sisters-in-laws, Eileen deBettencourt Tierney of CT, Theresa deBettencourt Venoitte of FL, Kathleen deBettencourt of VT, Edel Schnider deBettencourt of CA, and many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Croatia.

Etore emigrated to the US and became a citizen in 1967. He was an expert installing and refinishing hardwood floors and was a hard-working, proud, self-employed business owner. Described by one customer as “an old-world craftsman who is charming, polite, and pays attention to detail,” Etore received several “Best of Boston” Awards in the 1980s for his work. Etore was an avid sailor and fisherman, vegetable gardener and home winemaker, and he enjoyed traveling with Maureen on cruise vacations. Most weekends Etore and Maureen explored the Rhode Island and Massachusetts coasts on their sailboat, “America,” hosting friends and family with their characteristic warmth and hospitality on many memorable sailing adventures. 

Funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., Natick Common on Monday August 26th at 11:00 am. Visiting hours will be held 9 am – 11 am in the funeral home. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Jewish Family Services of Metro West, https://jfsmw.org/donate/

For online guestbook and directions: www.everettfuneral.com

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