Harry Junior Iwasko was born in Detroit in 1932 to Ukrainian immigrants.  His parents, Helen and Harry Sr., were among the first in their respective families to be born free, outside the bonds of serfdom in rural Ukraine.  They used that freedom to travel to America in search of a better life for future generations.  Harry's parents first immigrated to Leadwood, Missouri, where Harry Sr. worked in the lead mines and Helen washed the miners' clothes.  Like many new immigrants, the Iwaskos were soon forced to leave Missouri by the Ku Klux Klan.  Harry's parents eventually settled in Detroit, opening a small tavern on Michigan Avenue.  In Detroit, Harry Sr. became known fondly as the 'Mayor of Michigan Avenue,' due to his affable nature and the friendships he struck with prominent Detroit officials who frequented the 'HI Tavern.'

Harry was born at the height of the Great Depression.  He and his sisters Ann and Mary and brother Eugene grew up in poverty in Detroit, though they fared better than their siblings who had died as children from lack of food and medicine in Missouri.  Harry's parents, themselves illiterate in any language, ensured that their son took advantage of the opportunities their new country offered.  Harry was intelligent and hard working from an early age and earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Michigan to study law.  He was graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1955 at the age of 22 and married his college sweetheart, Betty Joan Semegen, shortly thereafter.

Harry devoted his career in the law to helping others.  He joined the Michigan Attorney General's office in 1959 and spent the next 38 years in public service, litigating on behalf of Michiganders.  Harry spoke bluntly and fought hard for the little guy, earning the nickname "Dirty Harry" in the Detroit Free Press.  His career at the AG's office was notable for several important cases, including two before the US Supreme Court.  He ultimately became the Assistant Attorney General of Michigan responsible for commerce, banking and insurance matters and was inducted into the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame in 2003.  Following his retirement from the AG's office in 1997, Harry served as the General Counsel of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and was awarded a Commendation by Pope John Paul II for his work on behalf of the church.

Harry was admired by family, friends and colleagues for two defining traits: his unwavering integrity and his sense of humor.  Harry always did the right thing, and he usually did it while making those around him smile.

Though public service did not make Harry wealthy and he often remarked that he never considered himself much of a success, his work changed the lives of tens of thousands of Michiganders for the better.  Harry was most proud, however, of his two sons, Nicholas and Christian.  Harry worked well into his seventies to help pay for their educations through medical school and law school, respectively.  At the end of his life, Harry took comfort in knowing that his boys enjoyed the kind of success that his own father, Harry Sr., had so desired for future generations.

Harry passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan at the age of 85.  He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Joan; his two grateful sons, Nicholas and Christian; and his seven beautiful grandchildren, Antonina, Juliana, Kateryna, Ava, Valentyna, Anastasia and Nicholas William Henry.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are invited to make a small donation to the Zaporuka Foundation ( www.globalgiving.org/projects/life-saving-treatment-for-kids-in-ukraine/ ) in Harry's name.

Lansing Visitation: 2-4 PM and 6-8 Monday, September 11, 2017 at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48917 with Rosary Service at 7 PM

Detroit Visitation: 3-8 PM Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 N. Inkster Rd., Garden City, MI 48135 with Rosary Service at 7 PM

Funeral Gathering and Mass: 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 13, 2017  Gathering followed by 11:00 AM Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Ukrainian Catholic Church, 26667 Joy Rd., Dearborn Heights, MI 48239