|
Harry B. Avery was a long
time stalwart of the Scottish Games circuit and a member of the Society.
He possessed a brilliant mind for those of us who took time to know him. I
had the honor of getting to know Harry long term, not only from the games
circuit, but from other venues. Harry was an avid cigar afficionado, an
alcohol connoisseur (both whiskey and wine), and a firearms enthusiast.
Harry was also an antiquer of sorts which is an affliction that most gun
people have.
I valued Harry's proven judgement in all matters and we always enjoyed
long conversations at the games on any one of the afore mentioned
subjects. My beloved old God-father, Don Macleay, always taught me to
value and respect the opinions of gun people. I did and do. Old Donald had
acquired a habit in life of never being wrong which he tried unsuccesfully
to pass along to me. Harry was one of those gun guys of whom Donald & I
were so fond.
I found him an extremely interesting person in many regards and enjoyed
his company on various weekends through the Scottish games seasons, as
well as at gun & antique shows in off season. Harry's knack for the
unusual always amused me. Not only did I enjoy browsing over the ever
increasing, latest, acquisitions with which he staffed his Clan Colquhoun
HQ tent, I found his engineering abilities unique. Harry introduced the
rest of us to the "Scottish tent air conditioner" that he trundled from
one game to the next. Harry figured out that the camping and RV world had
things to offer the Scots. He purchased a 12 volt fan from an RV source
with several deep cycle batteries and had a working fan in his tent. Even
in the hottest Scottish games weather, Harry looked really cool..... A
system that I envied very much and have set out to acquire one of my own.
I remember with pleasure the year that Harry lost a great deal of weight.
Harry had always carried a rather full figure. He managed to loose a great
deal of weight and was very proud of the fact that he was finally able to
wear his kilt. We celebrated that fact several times, with cigars and a
drink. What else! Harry, kind, generous, a true friend, ever the
gentleman, like a certain whiskey, "never varied!"
Gwen will miss you. As for me, see ya when I see ya. Fair winds and
following seas good friend! Aye, David |
