John Harry

John O. Harry, ?A MAN WELL LOVED?. John Olen Harry, 60, Suamico, was born March 30, 1946, in Ontonagon, Michigan, to Russell & Anna (Linna) Harry. After a long illness, John's generous heart stopped beating on March 5, 2007. John, born and raised in Ontonagon was always proud of his hometown and of his Finnish heritage. What a Jussi Poika. He attended grade school, junior high, and high school in the Ontonagon schools, graduating in 1964. His love of sports helped a little kid from the U.P. develop into a fierce competitor in life, first on the baseball field, basketball court, tennis court, and eventually to the golf course where he lived for the camaraderie and competition. The following narrative was written by a lifelong friend from Ontonagon: As a ?city kid? in Ontonagon, John walked to school from his neighborhood, as everyone did. Many unique friendships were formed and territories claimed. This bond would last a lifetime. As a youngster, John loved Little League Baseball and was coached and encouraged by his beloved big brother, Russ. He also loved basketball. His stature was small, but his heart was bigger than life. Couple that with his competitive spirit ...[more]

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you got John, a real team player. Ontonagon's basketball team, The Polar Bears, was rated #1 in the state several times during John's Jr. and Sr. years. The town rallied and people flooded the gym game after game. John was especially proud to be from the ?mighty class? of 1964. While in high school, he learned to play tennis, a sport he continued to enjoy later in life. For John and many of his high school buddies, golf was not an affordable option. That's why it became such a passion later in life. This year will be the 40th annual ?good ole boys? golf tournament in ?Ontos?. John was always in the center of it all! John never forgot where he came from; Ontonagon and the U.P. His contributions were generous and his sincerity enormous. He was especially proud to support Upper Peninsula athletes through his involvement in the annual Izzo ? Mariucci Golf Classic Tournament in Iron Mountain Michigan. After high school graduation, John attended Bemidji State in Minnesota on a basketball scholarship and then completed his schooling here in Green Bay at Badger Business College with a degree in Accounting. John then began a dedication to his life's work. His first job was in accounting at Thilmany Paper Company in Kaukauna where he began his life-long habit of being the first to arrive and the last to leave his days work. John next was employed by Trowelon Inc. of Green Bay where he began as an accountant in 1974 and by 1979 was promoted to president of the company. John's next step in life would take him on a world-wind trip around the globe. He left Trowelon in 1984 and began his own venture at Corrosion Technology Inc. He dedicated his life to CTI and it's customers and employees. He traveled extensively and made lasting friendships wherever he went. CTI was a huge success story for John and he was graced with the nickname ?Senor Cobre? for his role in the copper refining industry. With success came a buy out opportunity and John sold CTI in 1996. After many years of watching from the sidelines, John along with four other adventurous businessmen purchased CTI, now known as Corrosion Technology International in 2004. John married Anne Thompson on August 2, 1987, at Moravian Church in Heritage Hill, Green Bay. Together they enjoyed entertaining family and friends for all special occasions, especially their ?Summer in the City? parties on Kellogg Street, their annual 4th of July party at the ?beach? and big Christmases. They traveled extensively, visiting friends in Tucson, AZ; Ghent, Belgium, and Santiago, Chile. Yet their greatest times were spent in the little cottage on Longtail Beach Lane where they carried a tradition to dance on the ice of Green Bay at midnight each New Year's Eve. John will be sadly missed and will leave an empty heart. John was a good and loving man. He loved his friends with a passion; he especially loved children and always treated them with respect. John had a game he played with the young children in the family. He rewarded them with a $20 bill for simply answering the question, ?What is 2 + 2?? The question never changed as the children got older, but the answer did; 2 + 2 = I love you! John had a great love of animals, especially dogs. He walked the neighborhood with his Yorkie, ?Killer? and his pockets full of milk bone treats. The neighbor dogs would bark to be let outside when they sensed his coming. The milk bones also traveled in his old Chevy truck with him and he stopped for every dog he came upon. One of John's great passions in life was golf. He was a long-time member of Oneida Golf and Riding Club in Green Bay. He was a mentor to many young boys in the Caddy Program. He will be sadly missed there also. John was also a mentor to many other young men in his neighborhood and in his business. His focus was always on their education and the importance of their high school and college years as he saw a direct connection between education and success in life. If John Harry was your friend, you were blessed. John did not just take part in life, he ?made the memories?. He lived his life in high speed. He left us too soon, yet he left us with lessons: take what you learned from John's generosity to others and practice it in your own life. Amen. John is survived by his wife and loving companion of 27 years, Anne; his sister, Alma Shardlow; sister, Nancy (Darrell) Tripp; sister-in-law, Carol Harry; brother-in-law, Rick Yaklyvich; all of Ontonagon, MI; sister-in-law, Jeanne Harry, Tucson, AZ; He is further survived by the Thompson family; parents, George and Lucille Thompson, Oconto, WI; Mark (Sue) Thompson, Cape Coral, FL; Lane (Doug) Grabow, Bonita Springs, FL; Ellen (Bill) Melendes, New London, WI; John (Sharon) Thompson, Oconto, WI; Greg (Diann) Thompson, Appleton, WI; and a special sister-in-law, Laurie Thompson, Green Bay, known as John's ?Laurie, Laurie?. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews in both the Harry and Thompson families and special nephews, Bill Shardlow, Green Bay and Bob Gustafson, Suamico; a goddaughter, Molly Morgan Perlich, Tucson, AZ; and best friends, Cledwyn Owen, DePere; Ace Steier, Green Bay and Dick Marto, Suamico. Many other friends and relatives too numerous to mention. Family that went before John and will be waiting in the light for him are his parents, Russell and Anna Harry; brothers, Russell Jr. and Robert; sister, Bettie Yaklyvich and nieces Diana Harry Goshorn and Tamatha Tripp Renetzky. John was also preceded in death by his beloved dog, Killer. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Lyndahl Funeral Home. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral service Saturday morning. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, March 10, at 10:07 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Drive, Green Bay with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com Download or view the memorial video by clicking here.