by Conor Sharkey
LOCAL man Harry Friar had more reason than most to celebrate over the festive period, after he was nominated for the MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honour's List.
From Sion Mills, Harry was informed of the news six weeks ago, however he was sworn to secrecy until the list was officially unveiled on Saturday last.
He received the accolade for his 40 plus year's of charity and voluntary work in Sion Mills and surrounding areas.
Speaking of his delight at becoming a Member of the British Empire, Harry told the Strabane Chronicle, "I think the first thing I felt when I found out was pleasant surprise, followed by an element of shock. It's lovely to be honoured but I can honestly say that I enjoy everything I am involved in."
A man with many strings to his bow, Harry spent 41 years of his life working in Herdman's Mill, 30 of which were in the personnel department.
On top of that, he is past-captain and past-president of Newtownstewart Golf Club. Currently Honorary Secretary, Harry can still be found a couple of days a week on the Newtownstewart fairways.
Other involvements include Sion Mills Recreation Club, where he spent 40 years as honorary secretary. On the education front, he has been chairman of the Sion Mills Primary School Board of Governors as well as a member of the Strabane Grammar School Board of Governors.
Harry is also former chair of Sion Mills Credit Union and is curently a member of the Board of Directors there.
With regards to his huge efforts on the charity front, Harry is the current secretary of the Strabane/Lifford Probus Club and past-president of Strabane Lifford Rotary Club, where he still holds the post of assistant-secretary. He is also one of only a handful of people in Ireland ever to be awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Award for services to charity. Further charity commitments include being a member of the committee of the local branch of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Harry also holds the post of Director of Strabane Customized Training Services.
As if that wasn't enough, Harry is also secretary of the Select Vestry of Christ Church, Strabane, a role he has enjoyed fulfilling for the past seven years, as well as holding the role of Justice of the Peace.
He is married to former District Nurse May Friar and has two children, Sarah who lives in San Francisco and Stephen, a doctor in Aberdeen.
Asked how he copes with such a list of commitments, the septegenerian joked, "Have you ever watched a juggler struggling to keep all the balls in the air? That's what it is like, but when you get to my age, sometimes the balls fall down."
Commenting on his retirement plans, Harry added, "I don't know, I'll probably just keep going as I have been, but I might have to resign one or two of my roles over the next few years. I'm really enjoy playing golf and it keeps me quite fit, so I'll be concentrating on that a bit more as the years go on," he said.
