Man nearing 100 still as handy as ever
With a red ribbon in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other, a 97-year-old man on Sunday cut the ribbon attached to a brand new ramp he built for his wife at their home.
Harold Larrick labored over the ramp during the past two weeks. His wife, Janice, 96, had recent health problems requiring EMT assistance. Both agreed the process of getting her out of the home was troublesome.
“We needed some way of getting her out of here in a wheelchair,” Harold said.
He said he first looked into buying a ramp. However, as he browsed designs, he realized that his lifelong personal experiences as well as his professional history were helping him generate ideas of his own for a project. He pulled out his well-used tools and moved forward on his own.
Bolts, wood screws and nearly 100 pieces of lumber went into the ramp, which spans about 20 feet and leads into the couple’s home. He finished building it Friday, although he plans to add some form of anti-skid material to its surface in the near future.
“Sometimes, the rain and snow didn’t cooperate too well,” Harold said.
“No matter what it was, he was out there working,” Janice said.
The only help he accepted throughout the project came in the final days from son-in-law Ray Harris, who is married to Harold’s daughter Joan.
“I held screws for him,” Ray Harris said.
Family and friends who gathered at the Larricks’ home Sunday were in awe of Harold’s work, but not shocked by his ability to do it.
“Our dad is pretty independent,” Joan Harris said. “He’s talented in a lot of ways.”
Harold Larrick grew up on a farm in Virginia, before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. As he moved forward in the military, his intellect was noted, ushering him toward engineering.
After his service, Harold worked as an electrical engineer at Magnetics, which later became Spang and Co., in Pittsburgh. While there, he worked on magnetic cores used in early computers.
Harold and Janice had both been in long-term marriages before finding one another. Janice had five daughters and four sons. Harold had five daughters of his own. With their families joined, the couple today share 37 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
According to Harold’s daughter, Judy, the two met through their church, where Janice had been an organist.
“She played at my wedding,” said Judy Robinson, who exchanged a smile with her husband, John, as she shared the thought.
Judy said within the same year the couple had both lost their spouses, and they spent a lot of time walking and consoling one another.
The pair have now been married for more than 30 years, all the while living in their Belmont Avenue home, which Harold has diligently maintained.
Janice Larrick said her husband has skills in all areas of handiwork, including plumbing, electrical and woodworking, among many others. She said he also has spent a great deal of time on the greenery around the home.
“It’s wonderful because he can do everything,” Janice said. “I don’t know what he can’t do.”
Harold said he enjoys the work, and he was glad to complete a project that meant a great deal to his wife and family.
“I’ve been blessed by the Lord with family and health,” he said. “I have lots of loving children.”
Harold was a bit apprehensive as he was interviewed Sunday, not wishing to be in the spotlight. Janice, on the other hand, swelled with pride as she talked about her husband, all that he’s achieved, all that’s he’s done and all they’ve done together.
“He’s a miracle man as far as I’m concerned,” she said.
