Harry A. Gonyer Jr., intelligence officer, avid sportsman
Harry A. Gonyer Jr. of Rehoboth Beach died of complications of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at Delaware Veterans Home.
Harry was a retired intelligence officer. His public service career spanned over 40 years as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Air Force, the National Security Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency. He held several positions as manager and subject area specialist in assignments in the U.S. and overseas. Harry earned numerous awards during his career, including the prestigious National Intelligence Medal of Achievement from the CIA and presidential citations from Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush.
Gonyer was born in Mooresville, N.C., in 1945, and went to high school in Indianapolis, Ind. He attended college at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and Syracuse University, where he graduated with a degree in Russian and Russian area studies, and a minor in French. After four years in the Air Force, Harry started his civilian intelligence career and moved to the suburban Washington, D.C. area, residing for 20 years in the Columbia, Md. He also lived and worked in England for five years and Germany for two years, and traveled extensively worldwide. He was a “Cold Warrior” during his early career but was focused on counterterrorism in his later years.
An avid sportsman and crazy dancer, Harry played almost every ball sport imaginable. And after events, he could be seen dancing his heart out at the Starboard with friends and strangers alike. He played soccer in college and later in leagues both overseas and in the U.S. He was known for his speed and scoring ability, especially with his head, although barely 5-foot-9 Harry then started playing volleyball and honed his skills playing as he continued to play well into his 70s. He often referred to himself as the best 5-foot-9, over-60 beach volleyball player with two artificial hips. Harry was also an avid golfer and fisherman.
Harry was the son of Helen Grant and Harry A. Gonyer Sr. (both deceased). He was married for over 20 years to Nancy Greene, with whom he enjoyed traveling extensively, especially to warm climates with beautiful beaches and lush golf courses. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Michelle Conner and Nicole Peterson; and grandson, Lucas Peterson, all of Raleigh, N.C.; his brothers, Larry W. Brown and James C. Grant; sisters, Maxine LaChance and Margaret Wagner; stepdaughter, Rachel Ratkowski; and stepson, Matt Gabel.
Harry’s Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2025.
Remembrances in Harry’s name may be made to Parkinson’s Research, michaeljfox.org; or Lewy Body Dementia Research, lbda.org.
