POSTHUMOUS AWARD
HARRY L. JOSLIN
CLASS OF 1937 

Harry Joslin graduated from Rice Avenue Union High School in 1937. He was the manager of the school's baseball team for a few years and worked as a "Pin Setter"at the Girard Bowling Alley. After graduation from high school he worked for the Post Office in Girard. In June of 1944 when America was as war, Harry joined Company L in the US Army's 11th Infantry. He achieved the rank of Staff Sargent. He was deployed to the European Theater where he saw action in the Ardennes and the Rhineland. During the Rhineland offensive, he was wounded in an advance on the German line. The severity of his injury necessitated the amputation of his right arm. Harry was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon his discharge from the US Army he returned to Girard a much different person than when he left. But, Harry never acted like a victim. He returned to work at the post office as a mail carrier. He learned to bowl, drive a car (a standard – no less), crack an egg and tie his shoes!

Harry's next job was at Girard Coal which he later co-owned with Ed Carter. The business later expanded to Girard Coal & Supply and Pyramid Oil Company. These two men were key business men in the community. For a short time Harry worked as a bookkeeper at Girard Auto Sales and then he ventured out again into self-employment. He opened his own bookkeeping business, Girard Business Service, which he operated for several years.

In 1970 Harry ran for District Justice. This office was to replace the Justices of the Peace. He was elected and re-elected in 1976 and 1982. He was very highly regarded as a District Justice. His district included Girard Borough, Girard Township, Lake City Borough, Platea, Fairview Borough, Fairview Township and part of Millcreek. He discharged his duties with Grace, Love and Justice. Many a wayward juvenile stood before him and were treated very fairly (justly). However, he would gently advise the individual if he or she should return to his court the path could go a bit differently. Everybody makes a mistake, so learn from your mistakes – he didn't want to have any return visits. After his retirement as District Justice of District #06-3-07 he served as a Senior District Justice until 1989.

Harry was a long-time member of the Girard United Methodist Church. He was active there serving as lay leader, a member of the council of ministries, endowment fund and stewardship committee. He was a member of the Lake Erie Community Park Board of Directors for many years. Harry was also a member of the Fairview American Legion and the Springfield VFW Post #4965. He was a member of the Girard Chamber of Commerce and was presented the Girard Chamber of Commerce Citizenship Award in 1965.

Harry was an avid golfer and bowler. One of his proudest achievements was a hole-in-one at the Overlake Golf Course.