‘Bobby Radio’ and Mary Harrison created a lifetime of memories for their family

‘Bobby Radio’ and Mary Harrison created a lifetime of memories for their family

Robert (Bob) and Mary Harrison were inseparable after he asked her to go for a skate together at a Winnipeg roller rink in 1949.

Theirs is a classic love story from a roller-skating heyday — both around the age of 20, they were at an event where young Winnipeggers courted each other.

“Dad went to mom and, from there, they built a life together,” said their son Todd Harrison.

And a full life it was. After getting married, the couple raised five children, set up a pioneering two-way mobile radio business, ran a welcoming household and gave back to the community, while instilling the values of hard work and volunteerism in their kids.

After 73 years of marriage, the Harrisons were together until the end. They had individual rooms across the hall from each other in a personal care home, where they died peacefully 16 hours apart.

“It was very sad, but on the flip side it was kind of comforting,” Todd told the Free Press. “It just seems so strange, beautiful, comforting and appropriate that they would pass so close to each other.”

Bob died on the afternoon of Jan. 5, 2023, at 94. Mary, 93, died the following morning.

They were one another’s “strength and stay,” said Todd, quoting the late Queen Elizabeth II’s description of her husband, Prince Philip, in a nod to his father’s English roots.

Bob was born on his family’s farm in the Rural Municipality of Orkney in Saskatchewan on July 8, 1928. His parents had settled in the tiny community after moving to Canada from England.

The next year, on Sept. 6, Mary (née Krahn) was born in the farming community of Niverville. In fear of religious persecution, her Mennonite parents had fled Prussia with few belongings, said Todd.

As young adults, Bob and Mary made their way to Winnipeg, where their fateful meeting at the roller rink led to a courtship and a wedding in November 1949.

At that time, Bob was a pioneer in the latest technology — two-way mobile radio. He and business partner John Nowell started Harrison Nowell Mobile Radio and Paging Services.

The company was one of the first to install radios in police, fire and taxi vehicles, earning Harrison the nickname “Bobby Radio.”

“They thought he was like a magician with this whole concept of wireless radio,” said Todd. “It was a game-changer for police to communicate after (City of Winnipeg) amalgamation.”

The Harrisons went on to have five children — Tracey, Tannis, Trent, Todd and Tyler. At the time of their deaths, Mary and Bob were also survived by 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Todd recalled how his parents were incredibly supportive of his and his siblings’ sporting and educational interests.

Mary was a dedicated and caring homemaker. She kept the house going and organized at a time when Bob was often on call.

In his eulogy at his parents’ funeral, Todd recalled his mom’s robust, infectious laugh, as well as her talents and passions.

Mary, a seamstress, custom-made everything from clothing and curtains to Halloween costumes for her children. With Bob’s technological expertise, some costumes were wired to be battery-operated.

Mary adored designer clothing and antiques. Her favourite pastimes included browsing consignment shops for a special addition to her wardrobe, or searching antique shops for a special piece of home decor. Some of those pieces are now in the homes of her children’s families.

The Harrisons had a shared love of the outdoors; together they took up cross-country skiing, canoeing, cycling and camping.

Bob, a storyteller who loved history and science, continued to downhill ski until he was 85, said Todd.

The family’s patriarch could fix or build pretty much everything, and he had an eye for detail. He was also an avid photographer; the family would go through old slides of his photos at Christmastime. The kids would fight over the “clicker,” said Todd.

“We’re thankful now of all the pictures he took,” Todd said. “He preserved so many memories for us.”

Some were from the family’s annual camping trips on the shores of Falcon Lake. Every summer, the Harrisons would load their station wagon with a tent and supplies, and then pile in with the kids for the hour-plus drive.

Over the following week, the children’s days would be filled with swimming and activities on the beach.

Later, the Harrisons purchased a cottage on Lake of the Woods.

Longtime residents of Niakwa Park in south Winnipeg, Bob and Mary volunteered at Winakwa Community Club, were active within the United Church and supported a number of local charities.

Into his 80s, Bob continued to install Lifeline medical alert systems through Victoria Hospital on a voluntary basis. The south Winnipeg hospital presented him with an award to recognize his 25 years of volunteer service.

The couple left a financial gift to the Winnipeg Foundation to create an endowment to support educational pursuits.

“They both came from humble farming communities, where you were so appreciative of everything you had,” Todd said of his parents. “They worked hard and brought us up as a loving family.”

In their later years, the Harrisons never thought of themselves as old. Their son believes they lived by the quote, “The idea is to die young as late as possible.”

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