CCNZ Taranaki Branch Life Member Graham ‘Harrie’ Harris passed away on 13 October at 80 years of age.
A service celebrating his life was held at New Plymouth Racecourse on Tuesday 18 October at midday. The service was attended by more than 600 people, including many from the contracting fraternity.
Harrie was the owner of Taranaki civil construction company Graham Harris Ltd, and well-known to contractors around the country.
He chaired the CCNZ Taranaki Branch for 12 years, and his career had many high points, including a national award for his project to remove a dangerous timber retaining wall and construct a safety tunnel high on the slopes of Mt Taranaki at Manganui Skifield.
After retiring from his contracting business, he served as an assessor, carrying out more than 1,300 training assessments. He was awarded CCNZ Taranaki Branch Life Membership in 2000, and still attended branch meetings regularly 22 years later, attending his last on 30 August this year.
CCNZ Taranaki Branch Chair Joe Ingram became the owner of the business Graham Harris Ltd in 2017. He said despite retirement, Harrie had been a 'constant' in his time at the helm.
"Harrie set up the business in 1973, moving from mowing lawns for Pepper Construction with a tractor and mower on the back to become a well-known and respected civil contracting company, employing around 25 staff.
"Next year will be a celebration of 50 years of Graham Harris Limited. It is a shame Harrie will not be able to join us, but I’m sure he is proud knowing the name will live on, on the side of the red trucks in his legacy."
He said Harrie was always present to help out even though he was no longer the business owner, and curious to hear the latest news from across the contracting world, sometimes spending his spare time maintaining the company's equipment to support the business that still bore his name.
CCNZ Central Regional Manager Grant Radovanvich said Harrie was 'a Taranaki contracting legend' who had made a massive contribution to the industry in his 49-year involvement with the association.
"Harrie's knowledge, experience and calm nature will be greatly missed by the branch, the industry and the tight knit local contracting community. He will not be forgotten. CCNZ National Office, the Taranaki Branch and members thank him for his service, his wisdom and counsel, and his dedication to this industry."
Harrie is now memorialised through a trophy he personally donated to the CCNZ Taranaki Branch for 'Best Taranaki Contracting Project', known as the “Graham Harris Best Taranaki Contracting Project Trophy”, and presented to a deserving winner each year.
Further condolences can be sent to "The Harris Family", c/- Simple Cremation & Burials Funeral Home, 233 Carrington Street New Plymouth, Taranaki.
Photos and items below republished with permission from Contractor Magazine.
Above - Graham Harris receives a Contractors Federation National Award from Past President Graeme Blackley for construction of a safety tunnel on Mt Egmont in August 1998
Below - Graham Harris with Contractors' Federation Executive Officer Malcolm Abernethy at a function in 2004
November 2017 profile - Contracting and Cameraderie
