Obituary of Harry McCarr

McCarr, Henry (Harry) W.

Harry McCarr, Age 95 of Minneapolis, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 1, 2023. Preceded in death by his wife: Genevieve, his parents: Harry and Stella and his three sisters: Alice, Bernice and Harriet. Survived by son, Thomas (Sheila) McCarr and daughter Molly Schuneman, six grandchildren: Gregory (Miho), Jonathon, Benjamin Schuneman and Katherine, Elizabeth and Tommy McCarr and great grandson, Hugo Schuneman. Harry is also survived by his special family in India: Henry (Reena) and their children, Honey (David), Hancy and their granddaughter Hannah.

Harry was born on July 4, 1927 and raised in the Hamline-Midway area of St. Paul. He attended St. Columba grade school and Cretin High School (Class of 1945). After being drafted and spending a year in the army, he went to the University of St. Thomas (Class of 1949) and completed his education at the St. Paul College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline College of Law – Class of 1955) where he finished first in his class. While in law school, he met his wife, Genevieve Schweizer, and they were married for 66 years until Genevieve’s passing in March of 2021.

Harry spent the first few years of his legal career as a Special Assistant Attorney General of Minnesota and as an assistant Ramsey County Attorney. In 1963, he accepted a position as an assistant Hennepin County Attorney serving the County for eleven years as a trial lawyer, head of the appellate division and first assistant Hennepin County Attorney leading some of the most difficult criminal and civil cases in the County. At the same time, he and Genevieve moved to South Minneapolis where they raised their family and lived for almost 60 years. He left the Hennepin County Attorney’s office in 1974 for a brief time in private practice. During this time, he was appointed as a charter member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure where he served on this committee for over 25 years. Also during this time, West Publishing Company (now Thomson Reuters) commissioned Harry to author a three volume treatise titled: Minnesota Practice, Criminal Law and Procedure which he continued to write and update through three additions including annual yearly supplements for over 40 years. His book is used as a resource by lawyers who practice criminal law in Minnesota to this day.

In 1976, Harry was appointed as a Hennepin County Municipal Court Judge by then Minnesota governor, Wendell Anderson and then was elevated to the Hennepin County District Court in 1983 by then Minnesota governor, Rudy Perpich. Harry worked incredibly hard as a Hennepin County Attorney and Judge and he considered it an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Hennepin County. He had a special place in his heart for those that could not afford legal services or those that were not being fairly represented in the legal system. Harry helped out countless people with his advice including officiating at numerous weddings for couples who were not able to afford the cost of a wedding. Harry retired from the bench in 1994 and spent his “retirement” years as a mediator/arbitrator and as a special appeals panel judge relating to mentally ill commitment hearings until he was 90 years old.

Harry was a lifelong, devout Catholic. He and Genevieve were very active in the parishes that they belonged to and after his retirement, both attended Mass daily. Harry and Genevieve were longtime members of the Town & Country Club in St. Paul and he loved (and sometimes hated) the game of golf. In addition, Harry and Genevieve spent over 30 years wintering in Venice, Florida where they met many

great friends. The last year of Harry’s life was spent at The Alton Memory Care in St. Paul where he received excellent care. Harry will be remembered for his great story telling, his love of St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating his birthday on the 4th of July, his constant desire to help others and for his love and dedication to his family.

Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, February 6 at 10:00am at St. Helena Catholic Church, 3204 East 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Visitation starting at 9:00am at the Church. Luncheon to immediately follow the funeral Mass. Internment at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Our Lady of Peace Hospice Home in St. Paul, St. Helena’s Catholic School or donor’s choice. Willwerscheid Funeral Home & Cremation Service. 651-228-1006.