I've only been working at the yard for a few months.... but it seems like longer. Not too long after I got started over there I found myself doing bits of mechanical work on fuel systems and engines, learning as I went, being coached by the guys. Phil Harwick was pretty much the man I went to to find out about something, or get my next "assignment." Phil is a person that never said anything negative to me at work, if I made a mistake he calmly said "don't worry about it, what'd ya learn" and then tell me to "just keep going." Nothing seemed to phase him. When you approached him with something that you felt was pressing or "earth shattering" even, he was always calm and methodical.
When our boat was on the hard, Phil machined a strut to replace our worn out strut that was and still is an impressive part of our boat. I laughed with Phil in the cabin of several boats, making jokes about different ways to fix a boat, and he made me feel like he truly was the type of person that has a wonderful heart. Always on the go he was, and always happy to help you out if you needed a hand. He gave me a hand countless times, without me asking... He'd just offer. He seemed to stick up for me, when things were'nt going my way at work, even when the "crap hit the fan."
This morning on the way to work on his motorcycle, Phil hit a car in the fog. He didn't make it.
Phil will be missed, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for being there Phil, thanks for all your helpfulness, and kindness.
You can read more about Phil Harwick on the town website. http://towndock.net/
