Harry Saville Wardwell passed away, with his family by his side, on February 14, 2016 in Salinas, California. Harry was the only child born to John and Rita Wardwell, on January 6, 1928 in Conneaut, Ohio. Harry grew up in Conneaut, and Beaver, PA. He enlisted into the United States Army during World War II, when he was just 17 years old. He was discharged from the military in 1948, while stationed at Fort Ord, CA.

Harry met the love of his live, Shirley Jean Lang, at a beginner folk dance class that was held at Salinas High School. Harry went to the dance class with a tall Army buddy, while Shirley went to the class with her taller sister, Mary. Harry said to his buddy, "you take the tall one, I'll take the short one (Shirley)". Harry and Shirley were married on September 25, 1949, and they continued to dance their way through life for the next 57 years, until Shirley passed away in 2007. Harry and Shirley folk danced, square danced, ballroom danced, and round danced. They were also teachers of dance. Over the many years, Harry and Shirley danced with many local groups including Salinas Lariat Swingers, Jeans and Queens, Square Nickels, Shepherd Swingers, Taw Twirlers, Whirl-Arounds, and Las Amigas. 

Once discharged from the Army, Harry worked at Al's Men Store on Main Street in Salinas, followed by PG&E. In the late 1950's and the 1960's, Harry was with Kane & Zech, a TV and appliance store in downtown Salinas. It was during this time, that Harry began his long list of community service. He served two terms as President of the YMCA in Salinas, and led the building fund drive for a new building and indoor swimming pool at the local YMCA. He was also very active in the Salinas Chamber of Commerce, and served as President of the Salinas North East Rotary Club. For many years, he was Chairman of the annual Square Dance for the California Rodeo. Harry was also a member of the Salinas Elks, Monterey Moose, Monterey Kiwanis, and a Sunday school teacher and Elder at the First Presbyterian Church and Northminster Presbyterian Church. 

In 1970, Harry acquired the Magnavox store in Del Monte Center. For the next 28 years, Wardwell's Magnavox was a leading consumer electronics retailer in Northridge Mall, Del Monte Center, and downtown Salinas. When he retired in 1998, Harry and Shirley went on a year-long motorhome trip around the United States. Harry and Shirley were lifelong enthusiasts of all things Disneyland. They enjoyed taking their children, grandchildren, and often just the two of them to a Disney Park. Possibly this was because Harry and Mickey Mouse shared the same birth year, 1928. Harry and Shirley continued to travel around the world until Shirley's death in 2007. 

Not only was Harry a respected businessman and community leader, he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, who loved his family very much. Nothing gave him more joy than spending time with his family. 

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Amy Omlansky; his step-brother, Richard Ginther, and the love of his life, his wife and dancing partner, Shirley Jean. 

Harry is survived by his son, Harry Wardwell (Candy) of Salinas, and his daughter, Janet Omlansky (Paul) of Monterey, his two grandchildren, Jamie Hom (Ben) of Eagle, Idaho, and Jeffrey Wardwell (Audrey) of Salinas. He is also survived by his step-sister, Carla Dermody of Largo, Florida and eight great-grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund at Northminster Presbyterian Church or Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation.