A St. John’s man who devoted his life to helping others overcome the demons of crime and drug addiction that haunted him for years, has died.
Sixty-year-old Harold Williams died suddenly yesterday of a heart attack, according to family and friends.
He posted one of his last videos to TikTok the night before.
@haroldfromtherock Faith isn’t built on resolutions we make once a year, but on a relationship we choose every day—walking, listening, and growing with Jesus.”
Close friend Tina Olivero, who worked tirelessly with Williams and others to assist those struggling with mental health and addictions, said Harold was doing just that when he passed away.
According to family, Williams was helping someone move when he was forced to pull over along the highway and had a “massive heart attack.”
Olivero, a founder of Guardians of Recovery and a member of the Victory Church community, said Williams came to embody compassion and caring over judgement.
“Harold was the epitome of Christianity,” she said. “He didn’t judge people. He loved someone with addictions, he loved someone who was dealing drugs, he loved people working on the streets. He embraced everyone. He would say to all of them, ‘come with me, come to church.’ He was really the Mother Teresa of addictions and recovery, he really was.”
Williams, who grew up in Shea Heights, was also a vocal and outspoken critic of the deplorable conditions at HMP, having done a significant amount of time there himself before getting clean and turning his life around.
He also championed his causes as a frequent caller to VOCM’s Open Line.
There are no details yet regarding a funeral, but Olivero said a large celebration of Williams’ life will happen in the new year.
