Harry was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. On finishing high school, he went to England and was hired as a Trainee Engineer by a large Civil Engineering & Building contractor.

Training initially was at the home office and included drafting, quantity "take-off," and surveying basics. Following a year at the home office, he was assigned to a construction project as an Instrument Man, assisting the Project Engineer. In less than two years he was appointed Field Engineer and a year later was moved to rank of Superintendent. His first assignment in that capacity involved supervision of a...