Death of bowls legend

Feb 20 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

TRIBUTES have been paid to Paisley bowling stalwart Robert Harris, who has died aged 68.

Mr Harris, a former pupil at Abercorn School, was the president of Meikleriggs Bowling Club in 1996 and a well-known and much-loved character throughout the bowling community.

An active man who loved his sport, Bobby, as he was known to close friends and family, was an engineer for BT and even played bowls for the works team.

Football was also a love of Bobby’s and for several years he was involved in juvenile football throughout the Paisley and District area.

After a spell down in London, where he worked for Matthew Hall Limited, Bobby returned to Paisley, where he met his soon-to-be wife Sadie at Wallneuk Church.

Not only was Bobby a talented engineer, he was also a time-served plumber.

Away from work, Bobby’s love of sport continued and he travelled all over Scotland.

He was a fully qualified cricket umpire and his duties took him the length and breadth of the country.

Friends and loved ones recall Bobby as an avid reader of maps and atlases.

And it was his passion for travelling that prompted he and Sadie to embark on an unforgettable journey from Greenock – by coach – to Russia.

This was a journey that took 21 days to complete.

During their trip they saw the sights, sounds and cultural delights of the Soviet Union and on the way back they also toured picturesque countries such as Finland and Sweden.

In 2000, Bobby and Sadie visited Oberammergau, in Bavaria, to see the Passion Play.

This is only shown once every 10 years and retells the story of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

America was also a favourite holiday destination for Bobby and Sadie and they travelled Stateside twice during their time together.

The Harris family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at the Lorn Ward of the Argyll and Bute Hospital for their loving care of Bobby.

Bobby, who is formerly of Corsebar Road in Paisley, is survived by Sadie, son Andrew and four grandchildren Andrew, Robert, Megan and Frazer.

A funeral ceremony will take place today at Woodside Crematorium in Paisley at noon.