INNISFAIL – On an impeccably adorned table at the front of the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre’s Community Room was a framed portrait photo of Don Harrison.
In front of the photo, just off to the side, was a small moose ornament, a special one Harrison, a beloved member of Innisfail town council, frequently used for inspiration.
“I want to make a quick reference to the moose on the table,” declared Todd Becker, the chief administrative officer for the Town of Innisfail to a packed audience in the Community Room. “I remember Don at a council meeting and he was looking right at me and he puts the moose on the table and he leans right in and says, ‘we need to talk about this issue. We are leaders of the community.
“Don was a great leader, a great support for the staff, and also a great leader for the community, representing all citizens and businesses,” he added.
Becker was one of many who offered up salutes for the life of Don Harrison at a Celebration of Life on Nov. 13.
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Don passed away on Nov. 1 at the age of 70, and about 200 citizens packed the Community Room to offer their respects and gratitude for his unfailing commitment to the Innisfail community.
This included all council members, several Town of Innisfail staff, Red Deer County Coun. Connie Huelsman, Rudy Friesen, past chief administrative officer for the Town of Bowden, and Arno Glover, former manager of the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104, who preceded Don’s loyal service at the venerable institution.
Mayor Jean Barclay emceed the hour-long Celebration of Life.
She began the special event by introducing Don’s wife Colleen and their children to the audience. Barclay also gave a reading of her late council colleague’s obituary.
All members of council then offered special heartfelt messages.
“I considered Don the Chill Man in council,” Coun. Jason Heistad told the audience. “He's the guy you wanted on your team when things were getting tough, and he could calm you down, and also challenge you at the same time. That was the beauty about Don.”
Coun. Gavin Bates reflected he had worked alongside 15 other members of town council over three terms in office and Don “without reservation, was the most calm, empathetic and respectful” of anybody he worked with.
“Not many people noticed, but I did,” said Bates. “Don always wore a tie to council, and I think it was a symbol of the image of reverence he felt for that position.
“During my career I got to hate ties. I ended up wearing them and I didn't want to,” added Bates. “Don, it was easy to put this tie on today.”
The special celebration also included the attendance of Earl Dreeshen, the local MP for the riding of Red Deer-Mountain View.
Dreeshen noted Don's journey was to serve, and he was a “great” leader and had learned to appreciate people for their efforts, not just for the results.
“He lived his life by being a voice, not by being an echo,” said Dreeshen. “He understood bureaucracy, having served the upper echelons in the provincial government, and more importantly, he understood people and community.”
Barclay concluded the celebration by noting Don was very much a “stickler” when it came to council protocols and procedures, and no grey areas.
And there was also more on the moose.
“He brought out the moose as a signal a tough discussion was in order. He opened the way for all of us to participate in those discussions rather than complain about something behind the scenes,” said Barclay.
“He knew and acknowledged what a privilege it is to be elected by the community and to serve the community. He never took his position for granted or used it to aggrandize himself.
“He always did that with the best interest of the whole community in mind.”
