Harry Jeromemichael Haliw

Harry Jerome Michael Haliw

80, of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He was born April 23, 1931 to parents Andrew and Olga Haliw in Denver, Colorado immigrants from Austria. He was the second youngest of eleven children.

Loving husband of Lillian; father to Jerome (Kari) Haliw, Debbie (David) Ziegler; grandchildren Michael and Ashleigh Haliw.
Growing up in Globeville he attended St. Josephs Polish Church, Horace Mann Jr. High and North High School.

He entered into the US Coast Guard in 1950. As a Seaman he was assigned to the Northwind icebreaker stationed out of Seattle Washington. Active duty took him to polar ice operations and bearing sea patrol where he received two "Top of the World" achievement awards. Missions included bringing supplies to the northern most native people. He became an expert marksman and gunner. He was honorably discharged, in 1956.

As a young man, he worked on farms and at the markets. His experiences included loading rail cars with perishable freight and "throwing ice" for long shipping trips. He spent countless hours planting and harvesting on farms of friends and family. He always brought a strong work ethic to his work and always supported family and friends. He also worked for Mayflower moving company and traveled much of the US.

He attended Emily Griffith Opportunity School where he became a welder. Utilizing this skill he became an Industrial Laborer. He worked for The Denver Fire Clay Company (DFC) where he became an expert kiln and high temperature furnace builder. He constructed assaying and ceramic kilns nationally and internationally. He was the lead on a large ceramics kiln built in Managua, Nicaragua.

He remained one of the main shop leads throughout several company changes; in which DFC Denver operations became Mine and Smelter Corporation and eventually Barber Greene Company. He held several positions on the manufacturing floor including lead of industrial maintenance. His unmatched mechanical ability and attention to detail made him the go-to person for project accomplishment. He earned the President's 25 Year Safety Award for his record of safety in the work place. Additional industry changes brought company relocation, in which he was the last trusted Denver operations employee. He was a loyal company employee throughout his career.

He became an independent contractor completing kiln maintenance and reconstruction for local assay companies. He retired from his life's work in the mid 1990's.

He married the love of his life, Lillian, in 1962. They proceeded to have two children, Jerry and Debbie.

He had many interests including fishing and hunting for elk, deer and rabbit. He spent many hours making kelbasa and jerky with his friends at the "Sausage Shop". He had an affinity for growing plants and kept some form of a garden almost every year including this year's harvest of tomatoes and onions. He was a backyard mechanic and enjoyed antique clock repair. He enjoyed the music he grew up with and always had the big bands or polka station playing.
The last years of his life he spent enjoying his children, his grandchildren and being the primary care giver for his wife of 49 years.

Visitation Thursday, 5-7 P.M., followed by a rosary at 7 P.M, both at Newcomer West Metro Chapel, 901 S. Sheridan Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80226. Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, 10 A.M. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 3900 Pierce St., Wheat Ridge, Colorado, 80033.

Interment to follow at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, 12 P.M. area "A" with United States Coast Guard Military Honors.