Missoula – A True Son of the Bitterroot was lost when Harry Squires passed away on September 19, two days after his 76th birthday and just three days shy of the 42nd Anniversary to his beloved wife Carolyn.
Harold D. “Harry” Squires was born September 17, 1938 in Missoula, Montana to William M. and Vivian Shirley Squires. He grew up on a ranch outside of Stevensville and attended local schools. Harry served as an Army Medic in Germany during the Vietnam War era, before embarking on a career as a union worker that spanned 40+ years. During that time he worked at the Anaconda Company Smelter, Van Evans, White Pine and Sash, Mill Supply and Champion International before retiring as a Millwright from Stimson Lumber Company in 2003.
On September 24, 1972, Harry married the love of his life Carolyn in Missoula, in the house that they would later buy and live in until his passing. Together they embarked on one of the great love affairs and partnerships, making a family and living life to its fullest. Fiercely devoted to one another, you would rarely see Carolyn without Harry or vice versa. Together they raised two wonderful sons, Paul and Keith. In their later years, Harry and Carolyn would spend summers together in their RV at Seeley Lake, and after his retirement, Harry would accompany Carolyn to Helena when she served in the Legislature.
Harry was a member of the American Legion Post 27, and the Missoula Moose Lodge 556. Like any real Bitterrooter, Harry loved hunting, fishing and just being in the beautiful Montana outdoors. He also coached boxing for the Missoula Mavericks Boxing Club, and was an enthusiastic — some would say fanatical — Lady Griz basketball fan. An inveterate tinkerer, Harry could fix almost anything and was an accomplished cook. (A skill he attributed to his Grandma Brown.)
He was preceded in death by his father William, mother Shirley, brother Gordon and his favorite cat, King Tut.
Harry is survived by his wife and best friend Carolyn; devoted sons Paul (Laurel) Daniels and their children Dennis and Megan; Keith (Angela) Daniels and Keith’s daughter Linsey; brother Ralph and his wife Caroline; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His two favorite companion pugs, Roger and Sonya, also survive him.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville, with services officiated by Gail Greener at 11 a.m. Pallbearers are Dennis Daniels, Sam Terkla, Jerry Bush, Jim Schalff, Lee Jensen and Woody Goodan. Burial will then take place at Riverside Cemetery, Stevensville. A reception honoring Harry’s life will be held Wednesday, October 1 at the Missoula Union Hall, 208 E. Main from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials in Harry’s name are suggested to the Missoula Food Bank. The family would like to thank the dedicated physicians and staff at the Montana Cancer Center, and especially Dr. Alan Thomas, for his excellent care, friendship, and compassion during Harry’s illness. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.