It is with a deep sense of sadness that I must inform our Band of Brothers of the passing last Saturday of popular 14th MOBI Intake Chippy Harry Harman, this from Lorraine Harman's post on the mobijan63 Facebook page...

"It is with great sadness that we wish to announce that the world lost one of its great comics and a true gentleman on Saturday night, with Harry losing his battle with Parkinsons. For anyone wishing to attend, the funeral will be held on Monday 16th Feb at 1.00 pm at Mackay Family Funerals, 249 Pacific Highway, Ourimbah. For those that cannot make the trip, it will also be live streamed. Check out the Mackay website for details."

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Tributes on mobijan63 are flowing in...

John Weeks
We’re so sorry to hear this Lorraine. Will be in WA on Monday but will definitely have you in our thoughts. Love and condolences from Kay and me.

Bill Ohl
Colleen and I are deeply saddened to learn of Harry's demise and we extend our sincere condolences to you and your family. Harry was a true gentleman. We are currently in Mackay in Qld as today we farewelled a much loved cousin of Colleen.

Richard Johnson
What terrible news Lorraine. Harry was a champion and will be remembered as one of the best. Condolences to you Lorraine and to all of your family. Regards from Lyn and me.

Alan Holland
Lorraine, so sorry to hear about Harry my thoughts are with you.
Regards Lyn Holland

James Veitch
Lorraine, Mary and I are deeply saddened to hear that Harry has gone from our midst. Harry was indeed one of nature's gentleman and his sense of humour and hearty chuckle will be missed. Sincere condolences to you and your family.

Greg Moffitt
I am saddened to hear Harry's passing...He was a good mate and we had many laughs over the years..
Condolences to all his family I am sure he will be missed far and wide.
REST IN PEACE COBBER...

Julia Bambery
So sad - may he rest in peace..

Wal Midgley
So sad. He was always meant to be our “last man standing “
RIP Harry

Robert Moult
A good fella, taken far too soon, “fair winds and a following sea”.

Wally Neale
We're very sorry to about Harry's passing and our thoughts and condolences are with you Lorraine and your family.

Lyn Richardson
RIP Harry. Another good mobi gone too soon. Our thoughts are with Lorraine and his family at this sad time.
Kevin and Lyn Richardson.

David Charlton
a long friendship from 12 Jan 1963. Spent that night at YMCA Sydney, with NSW country mob before we signed up on the 13th. Harry, Midge, Rocky, Doc, myself, that I recall at the moment. Maybe Dusty Miller and Squash Watson. Have enjoyed good times over the years since then. Great mate and Bloke who will be sorely missed. Sincere best wishes to Lorraine and Family. Charlie and Margaret C

Rick Pengilly
So sad, one of life's true gentlemen, who will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him... Rest on your oars, Harry, your journey's done... VALE: R.I.P. Matey..

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Rick Pengilly
WEBMASTER
Ex-CPOMTH3
R42630
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'74
HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane

Sad to hear about Harry's passing. I only knew Harry from "around the traps" during my time in Pussers. He was a nice bloke and liked a chuckle or two. My condolences to his family and friends.

RIP Harry, rest your oars.

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Brian Carney
R43371
Ex-WOMTP5
22nd Mobi Intake
Jan 67 - Jan 89
RANATE, Sydney, Swan, Creswell, Stalwart (FMU), Cerberus, Derwent, Nirimba, Parramatta, Nirimba, FHQ (FMMO).

Oh boy.
Harry and I were born 5 days apart, went to school together at Raymond Terrace High and both applied to join Nirimba in July 1962. I was lucky, but Harry missed out, so he reapplied for January 1963 and got in.
We were young kids in school with a desire to join the Navy and he was one guy I didn't shit stir in second term.
Unfortunately we didn't keep in touch after pussers, I only caught up with him and Lorraine once or twice.
Rest easy old mate, not sure I can make your funeral, but I will definately be thinking of you and Lorraine on Monday.

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John Kelly (WEBMASTER)
R42620
Ex-WOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'83
Nirimba x3 - Rushcutter - Sydney x2 (Carrier) - Melbourne (Carrier) - Penguin - Kuttabul - Creswell x3 - Stalwart x2 - Brisbane.

Condolences to Lorraine. I had the good fortune to be one of his Chippie instructors at HMAS Nirimba (up to its closure).

Not only was he a true gentleman but one of the finest craftsmen I have had the pleasure to work with.

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Brian Mackenzie
ex-Shipwright Instructor
Oct '88 to Dec '93 (NIRIMBA) before and beyond

Only served with Harry at Nirimba and remember him as one of nature's gentlemen. Taken far too soon!
Condolences to his family, fair winds and following seas Harry, rest on your oars your job is done.

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Mike (Pony) Moore
O42860
Ex-LT GLEN(ME)
16th MOBI intake
Jan 64 - Jul 88.
Anzac, Nirimba, Stalwart, Moresby, Creswell, Waterhen, Penguin, Vampire, GMGID (PJP), Coonawarra, Attack, Ardent, Cook, Kuttabull, Cerberus.

May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.

Fairwell Harry it was a real pleasure knowing you and serving with you

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Henry Schubert
R42972
Ex WOMTH
17th MOBI Intake
July 64 - July 85
Nirimba x 2, Sydney, Lonsdale x 3, Tarangau, Melbourne, Coonawarra, Kuttabul, Stalwart, Jervis Bay, Penguin, Tonga Defence Cooperation, Cerberus Hobart, Harman.

Vale Harry, can't say I knew you, but it is sad to hear of your passing.

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Graeme 'Smiley' Rhodes
R94714
Ex-CPOMTP(D)5
Jan'65 Leeuwin Intake (10th) - Jan'66 Nirimba Intake (20th)
Jan'65 to Mar '88
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Stalwart, Samarai, Lae, Penguin, Curlew, Buccaneer, Navy Office, Barbette, Cairns, RANTTU (based in Port Moresby), Stirling, Bunbury.

Such very sad news. Like Brian I had the pleasure of being one of Harry's Chippy Instructors at Nirimba, and I treasure those years.

Farewell old mate, a real gentleman's gentleman, pure of heart and worthy of the kindest thoughts ever. May you have a warm sun and cool breezes on your next posting, you certainly deserve it.

Vale, Harry. The world is poorer for your passing.

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Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

Despite my best intentions, being a NSW Central Coast local, due to last minute complications with my car, I wasn’t able to attend Harry’s funeral in person this
afternoon, however, thankfully, I was able to watch the full livestream of the service provided by Mackay Family Funerals at Ourimbah.

The livestream will be maintained on the Mackay Family Funerals website for 7 days from now, and the livestream can be found here:
https://streaming.naoca.com.au/e/cb6364 ... 19ca4d57eb but in case accessing it is problematic for anybody, here’s my overview of the service…

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The Mackay Family Funerals Funeral Director, Kate Tyler Webber’s warm welcome/ introduction was followed by detailed eulogies recalling highlights, achievements and
recollections of Harry’s very full life, firstly from family friend Colin Henstock, (Joe Henstock’s brother,) after which the funeral director read aloud a heart-felt overview
prepared by Harry’s wife Lorraine of the details of their lives together.

Together, Harry’s two daughters, Jodie and Kylie, then shared their memories of their much-loved father, which led into the slideshow, presenting images of Harry’s life.

This was followed a presentation by Harry’s friend Scott Wasley, RSL Vice President (and a Muppet,) representing the Dawson Way RSL, where we learned more highlights
and achievements of Harry’s service life.

He then invited those ex-service members attending, which included MOBIs Jeff ‘Curly’ Ormes, David ‘Charlie’ Charlton and David Grant, (and one other I didn’t recognise,)
to each lay a poppy on Harry’s casket, which was draped in the Australian White Ensign and bore Harry’s CPO peaked cap, two framed photos of Harry, one of him in his full
CPOMTH dress uniform, and a more recent framed one of Harry as a civilian, which was propping up Harry’s Akubra…



Scott then led the Ode, followed by a recording of The Last Post and Reville and the National Anthem… Finally, he walked over to Harry's Family and he presented Lorraine
with a folded and framed Australian Flag. (Was it an AWE..?)

To wrap up the ceremony, attendees were invited by the Funeral Director to each place a (provided) white long-stemmed rose on Harry’s casket, and finally to meet at the
Mackay Family Funerals Café after the ceremony to share reminiscences of the Harry they all knew and loved...

We learned a lot more than we ever knew about Harry in the memories shared during the service; Harry was described a ‘cheeky’ and ‘witty’ father by his daughters, and he
headed up a family of Eels supporters. He actually taught the High-Pressure Welding course at HMAS Nirimba, (which many of us fellow Chippies had completed,) and after
leaving the RAN went on to receive a Diploma of Education which was presented to him at the Sydney Opera House. For further revelations, I guess you’ll just have to jump
onto the livestream before it’s taken down…

Farewell, Harry, you will be missed…

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Rick Pengilly
WEBMASTER
Ex-CPOMTH3
R42630
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'74
HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane

Great report!

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Graeme 'Smiley' Rhodes
R94714
Ex-CPOMTP(D)5
Jan'65 Leeuwin Intake (10th) - Jan'66 Nirimba Intake (20th)
Jan'65 to Mar '88
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Stalwart, Samarai, Lae, Penguin, Curlew, Buccaneer, Navy Office, Barbette, Cairns, RANTTU (based in Port Moresby), Stirling, Bunbury.