HARRY EDWARD ROMASKO, October 31, 2015
Harry Edward Romasko, a World War II Battle of the Bulge veteran and longtime resident of Helena, died peacefully at the age of ninety after a courageous battle with cancer. The second of seven children, he was born December 21, 1924, to Walter and Lillian Romasko, who had driven by buckboard eighty miles from their homestead in Powderville for the birth in Miles City.
Harry is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-nine years, Hazel Swayze Romasko, whom he married in July of 1946, and their three married children: Yvonne (daughter) and Gene Giese; Jeannie (daughter) and Victor Kiesling; and Harry Romasko, Jr. (son) and Luanne. He has seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his siblings, Anne Garrisi of Whittier, California, Marion Johnson of Helena, and John Romasko of Helena, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a brother, David Romasko of Santa Clara, California, a sister, Janet Rubin of Houston, Texas, and recently, brother, Walter Romasko of Pocatello, Idaho, who passed away October27th. Harry greatly missed his good friend, Robert “Bud” Welch, who also preceded him in death.
Harry helped his father from a very young age with jobs to bring in money for the family. His dad was a farmer, but held other jobs at various times. His mother was a school teacher. The family lived in communities such as Giltedge, Lewistown, Missoula, Arlee, Elmo, and Lakeside (Flathead), and the last, Helena, moving each time by wagon with a piano and a storied milk cow named Princess. Harry learned to be an excellent swimmer in cold Flathead Lake and also played piano. He attended grade schools in Arlee, Elmo and Lakeside, and high school in Helena, graduating in 1942.
After graduation, with a job as the maintenance mechanic at Montana Meat Company, he attended night school at the Helena School of Aeronautics for Aircraft and Engines to get an aircraft and engine certification. World War II meant he would surely be drafted and he wanted to be in the Air Corps.
As luck would have it, he was drafted in 1943, but not into the Air Corps, instead being sent to basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the GI Motor School. After that he was one of a few given the opportunity for further training at the Post Field Liaison Aircraft Mechanic School, also at Fort Sill. Harry then was sent to New York and on to Scotland via the Queen Mary and by train to Wales and eventually to England, to the 4th Armored Division, 22nd Armored Artillery Battalion. The battalion had two L-4 Piper Cub planes used for artillery spotting and dawn-to-dark patrols over the division when on the move. With a T-3 rank, Harry performed maintenance for the planes, working with two pilots and three enlisted men.
After months of training maneuvers in the English countryside, the Division entered Normandy, France, landing on Omaha and Utah beaches the middle part of June, 1944. The 4th Armored Division spearheaded General Patton’s Third Army through five military campaigns in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, including Bastogne. They went all the way into Czechoslovakia by the end of the war, his unit ”nose to nose with the Russians”. Harry was then sent back to Germany for several months in the Army of Occupation. He received his discharge at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin in October of 1945. He was awarded several decorations: a Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star, the European Campaign with Five Stars, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
After the war, Harry returned to Helena where he met Hazel and again worked for Montana Meat Company maintaining their vehicles. He was later employed at Helena Body and Paint and at Knapp Service before starting his own repair business, Harry’s Frame and Alignment. He valued his customers, working long hours and weekends to help out tourists and regulars alike. Harry retired December 31, 1989, after being in business more than 29 years.
He was recently honored by the American Legion for being a member for more than seventy years.
Characteristic of most members of the Greatest Generation, Harry was hugely influenced by the Depression and by World War II, deeply patriotic, loyal, and proud of his time spent serving his country. He was a hard worker and a brilliant mechanic who seemed able to fix anything. Leisure hours over the years were spent owning and maintaining a stock car, building and driving a dune buggy, riding his ATV and having a cabin near York. He loved working at the cabin and on projects with Bud Welch. Harry often invented gadgets or tools to help him finish a job and you could trust him to find the best way to get it done. He was an independent thinker, a good provider, a great husband and father. He enjoyed telling stories about his experiences in the war and about his years growing up in the Flathead Lake area.
There is no one quite like him. Harry will be sorely missed.
Harry, as well as his family, was thankful for the excellent care he received from Dr. Karen Cody and Dr. Guter at the VA Hospital and for the kindness of the staff there, for Hospice of St. Peter’s and the attentiveness of Big Sky Healthcare.
A memorial service celebrating Harry’s life will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 9, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. Committal Rites with military honors will follow at the Committal Shelter at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. A reception will follow the committal (place to be announced). Memorials in Harry’s name are suggested to the American Legion Post #2, 3095 Villard Avenue, Helena, Montana 59601.
To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Harry please visit below.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday November 9, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the memorial service
Monday November 9, 2015
Committal Shelter Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heros Row
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday November 9, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the memorial service
Monday November 9, 2015
Committal Shelter Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heros Row
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Bill Moore says
a really great guy I met harry when doing deliveries of auto parts many years ago.always had a good story to tell. will me missed for sure. bill
Jo and Paul Bryson says
To the Romasko family – We are so very sorry to hear about the loss of Harry. He lived a great life but I’m sure nothing really prepares you for when your loved ones are called home. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dick and Lori Schultz says
Hazel and family, I always enjoyed the visits when Harry came into my Optical Shop for so many years..He had so many good stories…Thank you for your service Harry and our prayers go out to all of you….DIck and Lori Schultz
Jim Stipcich says
To the entire Romasko family: I am so sorry for your loss.
Harry… I know how difficult it is to lose your Dad. Nothing prepares you for it.
John.. A brother is so special to each of us in their own way. I hope each of you can take comfort in the good memories that abound. My prayers and thoughts are with you each, your loving wives Luanne and Joanne. To all the Romasko nieces and nephews . Your Uncle was a special man. Cherish your memories with him as well. May God bless the entire Romasko family.
Jim
Dallas and Lucille Whiing says
We were so sorry to hear of Uncle Harry’s death. It was so good to see him a few years ago. Uncle Harry will never know how much he influenced my life. He was there while I was going through a very tough time in my life. He and John were the people who got me to love the sport of stock car racing. I have so many fond memories of that GREAT man. His voice intimidated me until I leaned his sense of humor. Aunt Hazel thank you for making him part of your life so he could be part of my life. My families deepest condolences go out to the entire Romasko family.
Art and Clara Gilreath says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Romasko family
May God bless
Bill and Margo and Charlie says
Hazel, Jeannie, and Victor, we are sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Harry’s story, it’s a great one. We’ll miss seeing him on Harry’s Lane and at Beaver Estates and will always think of him on our walks. Harry and Bud will be riding the mountain together on their ATVs again soon, I’m sure Charlie and I will run into them from time to time up there. Condolences from your Trout Creek neighbors
Larry Petty says
Hazel & Family: My thoughts & prayers are with you. I surely will miss him. Shortly after moving to Helena in 1977 I had some truck repairs done at his shop. Somehow he always remembered me as 2B, not Larry. Whenever I called or stopped in at the shop he would always say, what’s up 2B. He & Hazel have always been one of my favorite clients as well as I Great Friend.
God Bless the entire Romasko Family
Larry
Sister Mary Laura Huddleston says
Please accept my sincere sympathy at the death of Harry Ramasko. You may be assured of my prayers for him and his family.
God bless and console you.
Sister Mary Laura
Doug and Deb Kralicek says
Hazel and family,
I remember Harry shoveling mom and dads sidewalk before dad even got out of bed. He also came to moms aid several times after dad passed away. Now Harry joins mom and dad. What a group that will be. Blessings.
Mark Zitzka says
Condolences to the whole Romasko family,
Your family, and especially Harry, are in my prayers. I wish you comfort in this difficult time. I met Harry through his work. His ethics and values were plain to see and much appreciated. Sincere heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Dan Stinson says
I met Harry when he had his shop on Helena Avenue and I was a young man with a damaged car. Harry was an expert on so many things and really ‘knew his stuff’, in the parlance of the times. More importantly to me, he treated me well, for being so young. But I never realized just what a colorful character he was. Helena has lost another quiet legend.
Cindy Lieberg says
Dear Romasko Family,
So sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers! Love you guys! ???
steve wong says
Harry was for sure one of a kind. He often questioned my painting skills and accused me of using what he called a flit gun. Under protest, he kept my hot rods going in a straight line for years. Good job, Harry, on a well lived life.
Mike & Mary Root says
Harry’s family and friends sorry to hear about your loss. We will cherish our memories of Harry. Know that the Guardian Angels will watch over him until you meet again.
Phil & Terry Lamping says
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dick Poepping says
Mrs Romasko, Yvonne, Jeannie, Harry
I’m sorry to hear of Harry s passing. I thought many time of Harry and all things he done for us kids and his friendly smile. This world has lost a Great and Wonderful man. May God Bless your entire family.
Thank you Buzz for sharing your wonderful father.
Dick
Drew Dawson says
I haven’t seen Harry in many years and haven’t lived in the Helena area for the last decade or so. But, I remember frequently using the services of Harry’s Frame and Alignment. Harry always remembered me and we bantered back and forth. He made coming to his shop a fun experience and, of course, provided extraordinarily competent service. What a great guy!
My condolences on your loss. God bless!
Drew