TRIBUTES ‘Kenneth was a real gentleman’

A MUCH-LOVED grandfather who spent his professional career developing Welsh industry is being remembered as a “highly thought of gentleman”.

The life of Kenneth Roy Harris has been celebrated following his death on November 7 at the age of 97.

Mr Harris spent the latter part of his varied career working for the Development Corporation for Wales as an executive officer for the Japan office.

For seven years until his retirement in 1983, Mr Harris made 25 trips to the country forging business relationships with Japanese companies on Wales’ behalf.

Working closely with Japanese bankers and business people, he and his wife Barbara were even once invited to lunch with the Crown Prince of Japan, Naruhito, the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Born in Risca, near Newport, on May 2, 1920, Mr Harris attended Pontywaun Grammar School in the town before joining the RAF in 1940.

After being demobbed in 1946, a young Mr Harris passed his civil service exam and began working in Newport.

Soon after, he was promoted to executive officer and transferred to London.

A talented musician, he spent his spare time in the city playing trumpet with brass bands at hotels such as the Dorchester and the Grosvenor.

He later joined the Board of Trade in Cardiff, where he enjoyed a decorated career before being head hunted by the Development Corporation for Wales.

Mr Harris married his wife Barbara in 1971.

The couple both had children from previous marriages who have sadly passed away, but have enjoyed 46 years of marriage with their four grandchildren.

After his retirement in 1983, Mr Harris enjoyed playing golf and was frequently invited as a public speaker to events for the Rotary Club, Probus and the Women’s Institute.

Mr Harris developed dementia in the final three or four years of his life, and was eventually placed into care at Willowbrook House Nursing Home two years ago.

He died peacefully at the home with his wife Barbara by his side on the morning of Tuesday, November 7.

Mrs Harris, 83, said: “He was the sort of person who anything he did, he did well.

“He was a real gentleman, with a gentle personality. He was very undemanding, very highly thought of and much loved.”