Harry was proud to be a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1961 to 1965, and was devoted to many veteran causes.
On May 1st, 1971 Harry founded National Tractor Trailer School with his business partner and long-time close friend, William Mocarski, and was president of the school for 46 years. Throughout their years of business, NTTS has trained over 30,000 men and women from all walks of life and educational backgrounds as entry-level heavy truck and tractor trailer drivers. He was a strong believer of the American dream and did what he could to provide people with a high quality education so they could achieve a brighter future as a professional tractor trailer driver. Ten years into the trucking industry, Harry became an instrumental part of the future for accredited truck driving schools nationwide, and became one of the founding fathers/president of C.A.T.D.S (Commission of Accredited Truck Driving Schools). He was also one of the founders of C.V.T.A (Commercial Vehicle Training Association) and a part of the board of directors; as well as serving on the National Younger Driver Standards Forum. He also served on the PTDI board of directors, executive committee and as a commissioner on the PTDI certification committee.
Harry was awarded the sixth annual Lee J. Crittenden award from the Professional Truck Driver Institute in 2004. This is awarded to someone who has done the very most to advance the goals and ideas of the PTDI. Without these important organizations and Harry’s help of instituting them, the industry would not be where it is today. In 2010, Harry played an integral role in the development of the military training of professional truck driver’s at Fort Drum, NY, to give veterans a CDL education and it is still a successful program today.
Harry very much enjoyed traveling to various islands, golfing, taking care of his cats, and watching the sunsets across the water. Not many summer days were spent far from the water as he was an avid boater his whole life. He was a generous soul who loved a good laugh and was always up for fun. Harry had a great love for the outdoors, life and spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed by many and forever remembered by everyone whose path he has crossed.
Family and friends may call on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, followed by a funeral service in celebration of Harry’s life at 6:00 pm in the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation at https://donate.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/