Harry Christensen 

Harry went to Copps one day, looking for his wife, Marily, who works there.  In his inimitable Bostonian version of English, he asked something like “S’Maah-lee he-ah?” (Translated: “Is Marily here?”)  The clerk needed to hear that one again before she caught on.  After finding Marily, she said, “There’s some guy here looking for you.  I think he’s from Australia.” 

 

Harry takes a lot of kidding about that accent of his, especially since he’s been serving as an Officer of the Council and needs to respond “He-ah” (here) when his name is read in the roll call at each meeting.  But it isn’t just the accent that makes Harry special.  It is his dedication to the work of the Council and his involvement at activities too numerous to mention.  He got involved in the Knights somewhere late in 1993 at the invitation of Jim Barnett, and the idea appealed to him since he was not involved in many other things at the time.  He admits he didn’t know much at all about the Knights, and, unlike many men who have some images in their minds of men with swords or plumed hats, Harry had no such preconceived notions.   He came in fresh and was especially impressed to be associated with a bunch of “good guys like Jim”.   He sees the Knights as doing a lot of positive things on the community and he himself has been involved in activities such as bell ringing for the Salvation Army, food stands at the church picnic or other fund raisers, Free throw contests, and bowling.  He went on the bowling trip in February of 1994 at Fond du Lac when he didn’t know too many men in the Council and ended up making several new acquaintances.  He apparently enjoyed it because he ended up coordinating the Council’s involvement in this year’s bowling tournament at Marshfield.  Harry also took an active part in the Tootsie Roll drive and served as a co-chair of that event this year.

 

Marily and Harry have one child, Megen, and have been married for seventeen years now. They came to the Green Bay area about six years ago, after having lived in his native Boston and a nearby suburb.  Marily’s parents are living in Fish Creek, and on visits here Harry came to appreciate what he sees as a somewhat slower pace than in the East, and that aspect of taking the time to appreciate life as well as job related matters made the move a comfortable one.  While he says he is a Packer fan, he notes a story told by another Bostonian--Bishop Banks--who said at a Bishop’s Charity game that he liked the Pack but somehow couldn’t let go of the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics.  Harry works as a sheet metal worker and is with Tweet-Garot; he often finds himself on the road through a contract with a local paper mill.  He notes that the mills really keep them going, and enjoys that particular work setting after having worked in offices and hospitals before.  Harry’s not involved in an lot of activities aside from the Knights, and for relaxation he enjoys taking advantage of their pool or hot tub or watching TV, especially hockey.  While he sees himself as pretty much a “home body” he does enjoy camping.  He is also something of a collector of old records and his devotion to “Do-Wop” sometimes takes him to Milwaukee or elsewhere to pore over collections at stores.

 

Serving the Council as Inside Guard for the past year, Harry reflects on the importance of Council members expressing a willingness to get involved, noting that men shouldn’t wait around to be asked to do something, but “do it yourself”--volunteer for something.   He sees the Knights as a special organization, men who really care about people.  For him as for so many others, the greatest benefit of membership is the camaraderie--”I really enjoy the people I’ve met.”  He also likes to see the variety of ages among the members of the Council, something that sets our Council apart from so many others.  Taking that initial step enabled him to become deeply involved in the life of the Council.  Harry feels he’s ‘done his duty’ but also sees himself continuing in service to the Council and getting to know the men who are involved.  We’re all glad he took that step.
 

June 1995