Harold Vernon Pepper, Cdr. USN (Ret.), 89, of 111 South Shore Dr., East Haven, formerly of North Branford and San Diego, California, died on March 21. He was the beloved husband of 67 years to Norma Lee Watts Pepper. He was born in San Diego, California, on Sept. 26, 1922, son of the late Jacob Sebron and Alcia Fears Pepper. Cdr. Pepper served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Metal with three stars. He retired after 25 years of service.

Following his military career, he worked until retirement for Sikorsky Aircraft as a senior marketing analyst, and he was the founder and owner of Pepper’s General Store for Animals in Guilford.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his beloved children, Michael H. Pepper and his wife Ann of Pawling, New York, James S. Pepper and his wife Judy of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, and Ann Page and her husband Stephen of Guilford.  He is also survived by his sister, Shirley J. Brodhag of San Diego, California; nine grandchildren; and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by four brothers Wallace, Merrill, James, and Herbert, and three sisters, Ardele Minton, and Mildred and Winifred Pepper.

A memorial mass was celebrated at Saint George Church, Guilford, on March 31.  Burial with military honors will take place in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California, at a future date.   Those wishing to remember Vern may do so through contributions to the San Diego Air and Space Museum, 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA  92101, where he was a docent for several years, or to the Zoological Society of San Diego, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112-0271.  The Guilford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit, www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.