'Happy' Harris leaves legacy of care

FAREWELL: Pallbearers James Harris (left), Bill Hallett, Michael Hurley and Stuart Harris carry Malcolm Harris' casket from the funeral service yesterday draped in the navy ensign. Two other pallbearers, Dennis Porteous and Trevor Thompson, are obscured in this photograph. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA.

A man who earned himself the nickname Happy because of his unfailing good humour and zest for life was farewelled at a funeral service in Masterton yesterday.

Veteran serviceman Malcolm Harris, 76, died last week, after a brief battle with cancer and left behind a legacy of invaluable volunteer work and concern for others.

Mr Harris, known to practically everyone in Masterton as the man on a bicycle who pedalled his way round town on his way to help at any number of places, was also a confirmed man-of-the-sea who served in the New Zealand Navy from 1957 to 1966 and witnessed the Christmas Island bomb tests.

He became an advocate for other veterans who had also served in that controversial Pacific theatre and had suffered ill health, often resulting in early death.

Wairarapa Services and Citizens Club was packed with mourners yesterday and tributes from family and friends flowed freely.

Mr Harris was a staunch RSA member, was involved with the New Zealand Nuclear Test Victims Association and helped out the ATC 21 Squadron, Riding for the Disabled, and many individuals.

He was described as a devoted family man who, when he was not out helping others, could be found in his shed or garden.

On his casket were laid out his cycle helmet, gardening tools, navy service medals including a special services medal and a rather odd remnant from his life.

This was a gold-painted universal joint with the inscription "Malcolm's new knee joint" which had been gifted to him by friends as a joke after he had recovered from a very serious car crash in 1995 that shattered his knee.

Apart from his service on the HMNZS Pukaki, during the bomb-test years, Mr Harris served on other leading vessels including the HMNZS Royalist.

He was an engineer by trade.