Harry Hilliard's Obituary
HARRY THE HORSE HANGS HIS HOOK Harry Hilliard On July 2, 2008, the legendary longshore worker Harry Hilliard, 88, died peacefully in his sleep. Harry the Horse was the last of the sea-going longshoremen. He now joins the "Sky Gang" with Phil Lelli, Shaun Maloney, and John Kresevich. Harry was born in Portland, OR, orphaned at 5 years of age, and spent several years in a childrens' home. He ran away, eating what he could find in garbage cans and sleeping in hobo camps. In school for awhile a kindly teacher brought Harry food. His Aunt Lillian Turner, one of the richest women in San Francisco, rescued Harry from poverty. Aunt Lillian went broke in the Great Depression so Harry went to sea at 15, working as an able-bodied seaman on freighters. During World War II his ship was bombed in London, England, but luckily Harry was in a nearby pub. The Germans tried again in Malta, but this time Harry was visiting a sick friend in the hospital. Harry fell in love with Helen Racle and quit the sea when their daughter Linda was born. He is survived by wife Helen Hilliard; by daughter Linda (Michael) Boespflug and Shirley (Ron) Torkelson. Grandsons include Harry Bender and Bryan Bender and great-grandsons Andrew Bender and Dylan Bender. There is a large extended family and hundreds of friends who will miss him dearly, especially Ron Magden who worked with Harry on keeping the history of Local 23 alive. Harry the Horse found a land job in Harry Lynch's Tacoma longshore gang in 1947. When Lynch retired Harry became the gang boss. Harry's Gang loaded the first containers in 1949 on the Asa Lathrop. As seagoing longshore workers Harry's Gang unloaded the boxes in Anchorage. Whenever the maritime business hit a lull Harry would rejoin the Painters Union. Harry teamed with Howard "Sailor" Smith to paint the Puyallup River Bridge on Meridian. Harry did the painting and Sailor did the bossing. Harry was a little man, 140 pounds, but he carried his share of the load in the hold for 30 years. on On June 21, 2008 The News Tribune featured Harry on page 1. Harry was very proud of that article. In fact he considered it the summation of his life. The hard work packing a 160-pound wheat sacks in the Balfour warehouse was more than offset by the comradeship with his union brothers and sisters. As he had for 26 years, the Friday after the article was published Harry served meals to the poor at Hospitality Kitchen. When on of the hungry thanked him, Harry replied he knew exactly what she was gong through. A week later Harry's heart gave out and he joined all his friends who had hung their hooks in the sky. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 2 p.m. in the Aspen Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home. Reception following. Strong and Strapping Still Strong and Strapping. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Leo's Hosptality Kitchen 710 So. 13th St., Tacoma, WA 98405 or The Foss Waterway Seaport P.O. Box 1294, Tacoma, WA 98401
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