Worcester: Harry Awiszio, 98, died Friday, June 9, 2023 from natural causes with his family by his side. He is survived by a daughter, Desiree Awiszio of Worcester; a son Edward Awiszio and his wife Mary-Jane of North Brookfield, a granddaughter Kimberly Awiszio of Durham, North Carolina; many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Harry was predeceased by his loving wife, Louise in 2014.
Harry was born on November 17, 1924 in Bad Liebenstein, a town in the Thuringia region of Germany, son of Ferdinand and Hedwig (Finkenwirth) Awiszio. He lived in a castle in Wiehe until ten years of age, and then the family moved to Poethen. After graduating from school at age 16, he became an apprentice at Krupp company and soon was drafted into the German army (Wehrmacht) and was fighting at the Russian front for four years. He served in the infantry, then leader of an artillery group, then forward scout, rising in the ranks from private to officer cadet (Fahnenjunker). Harry was awarded Germany’s highest decoration for bravery, the Iron Cross, for taking charge of a handful of men and holding the line after all others in his unit of 80 soldiers had been killed. Five days before the end of WWII in Europe, he and his unit were surrounded and captured by Russian soldiers and taken to a POW camp. They were not released when the war ended, and Harry was in Russian POW camp for four months. After getting Diphtheria, he was thought not to survive and sent back to Germany, where his Mother mixed raw egg with red wine, and he recovered without any medicine available.
The Russians forbid and denied Harry’s entrance to engineering school since he was a veteran of the German army fighting at the Russian front and survived it. With the border between east and west in Germany becoming increasingly tight with fences and walls being built by the Russians, Harry made the decision to leave his parents and walk to the west. He carried his army duffle bag and made a suitcase out of plywood and walked for miles, crossing through a high corn field at mid-day and then quickly stepping across the border. After finding work in the west, he applied for U.S. Visa, and waited three years to immigrate to the United States. Once here in January 1952, he lived with an Aunt (Mother’s sister) in Sutton for the first 9 months before moving to a rented room in Worcester. Harry went to college during the day and worked second shift, attending Worcester Junior College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, earning two engineering degrees – Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude.
Harry met the love of his life, Louise Haffty in 1954 at a dance at Lakeside Ballroom and were married in June 1956. They had 58 wonderful years together before her passing in 2014.
Harry’s engineering career took him to many companies – The Potter Press in Waltham, Heald Machine in Worcester, Leland-Gifford in Worcester, Hunter Machine in North Adams, Entwistle in Hudson, RAMCO Industries in Worcester, C.E.M. in Danielson, CT, and Morgan Construction in Worcester. He was an active lifetime member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (A.S.M.E.), serving as Worcester section technical development chairman, treasurer, secretary, vice-chairman, and program chairman. He was Worcester section chairman for Region 1, senior delegate to the National Agenda Conference, member of the National nominating committee, and Region 1 chairman for section programs. Harry received the Best Section Award when he served as Chairman in 1980, and the History and Heritage Award in 1981 for being instrumental in dedicating the Alden Research Laboratory Rotating Boom in Holden, MA as a National Historic Engineering Landmark. He received a lifetime award by the Board of Governors for 55 years of dedicated service to A.S.M.E. Worcester section.
Harry was group travel leader for the Morgan Retiree Group, organizing many wonderful trips, and also served as secretary.
Harry was the definition of the do-it-yourselfer. He could build and fix anything. He designed and built a deck on the side of the house, a den downstairs, a shed in the backyard, a fireplace in the backyard, renovated the entire kitchen, and countless other projects. His friends called him “Handy Harry”. He enjoyed spending time with his family, being together, doing anything and everything. Harry enjoyed his workshop, traveling, gardening, the engineering societies, company retirees group, and keeping in touch with friends in Germany on the phone and visiting them. Every December, Harry wrote a detailed round letter with photo layout and mailed hardcopies to all his friends in Germany describing all the year’s activities. Friends looked forward to it and really enjoyed it.
Harry was known for his enthusiasm in everything he did, and for his kindness and never-ending help to others. He constantly gave of himself and was always there when anyone needed help or advice. He was known for his energetic and dynamic personality and made a lasting impression on everyone he met. Harry is adored and loved by his family and friends. Everyone was amazed by his strength, stamina, and longevity. We love him with all our heart, always and forever.
Calling hours will be held at Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St, Worcester, 01604, on June 15th, from 5-8pm. Private Burial at a later date. Nordgren Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s memory may be made to Saint George Orthodox Cathedral. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.