The man described by nominators as the "voice of the Battlefords" can now be described by another title: Citizen of the Year.
Harry Michael Dekker is 2011 Citizen of the Year, earning the honour not only or his work as the longtime radio morning man on CJNB Radio ,but for the support he's given to the various charitable and community organizations in the area.
He admits it came as a surprise when Glen Gantefoer called him with the news of the honour in early December.
"I was totally taken aback," said Dekker, who said he "dropped the phone, mouth, put it back in place" on learning of the honor.
"I had no idea I had even been nominated for this," said Dekker. "It was a complete surprise, it really was."
Dekker had been active in the community but had always regarded his community activities as "part of the job" of being a high-profile morning man on radio in the Battlefords.
"Out of the many years that I certainly promoted and paid tribute to those who are chosen for this prestigious award, I would never have thought I would get one," said Dekker.
Harry Michael Dekker was born on Dec. 20, 1956, and literally was born into the family business: radio.
His parents Harry Dekker Sr. and Christine Dekker were hosts of the Double Dekker Breakfast Club on radio, first on CFQC in Saskatoon and then for decades on CJNB in North Battleford. His brother David also got into the business and became general manager of the North Battleford stations, including Q98 and The Rock 93.3 FM.
"The whole family was pretty much involved," he noted. He remembers the times he would go down to the radio station with his dad and thinking "this is pretty cool."
Harry Jr. grew up in the Battlefords and, blessed with a booming voice for radio, pursued a radio career of his own. He broke into the business at CJNB before moving to Regina where, for several years in the late 1907s and early '80s, he was a successful morning man at CJME.
After a decade there, he moved back to the Battlefords and took over hosting the Dekker Breakfast Club on CJNB from his father, as well as taking on part-ownership of the station with Rawlco Radio and the rest of his family.
He particularly remembers the year he took over the radio show - 1989, the same year the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey Cup.
He's proud to continue a morning radio tradition that goes back over 60 years.
"It's the single longest-running family name radio show in Canada, without a doubt," Harry believes. 2012 will mark the 65th year of the show on the air, going back to the days when it aired on CFQC in Saskatoon.
Harry Michael has continued on the Dekker legacy in morning radio in the Battlefords, where he has raised his family with wife Donna, and children Donnica and Harrison.
Not only was his a familiar voice on radio, but also has served for free as MC of various events and fundraisers throughout the community. He's also served on various boards and given freely of his time as a volunteer.
Nominators noted his extensive work with various organizations in the community. They include over 10 years with the Battlefords United Way (including a stint as president), Dance Connection, the Empty Stocking Fund, Battlefords North Stars, Battlefords Ag Society, Battlefords Wildlife Federation, BUH Foundation, SIGA events, the year 2000 Saskatchewan celebrations at the Flats, the St. Walburg Blueberry Festival, the Battlefords CUPlex, the Battlefords Trade and Education Centre fundraising committee and Ducks Unlimited.
Harry also remembers being involved in haunted house efforts at the old Royal Bank with the United Way.
"The old Royal Bank building was graciously given over to produce the haunted house fundraiser for United Way," he said, doing well over $80,000 in fundraising. That effort lasted some six years.
Now, Harry notes, haunted houses at Halloween "are all over the place. We used to be the only one, but now everybody's doing it."
His booming voice was cited in the comments of many of his nominators.
"As the very distinctive 'Voice of the Battlefords' Harry always represents his community capably, enthusiastically and with great sincerity," said Ian Hamilton, mayor of North Battleford.
"As a radio announcer his voice is synonymous with the Battlefords," noted Scott Meiklejohn. "He is always an advocate for all community events, big or small."
"He is very much like his father, Harry Sr.," noted representatives of Kramer Auction Sales, Ltd. "Harry Jr. is a joker much like his father was, and has a huge heart much like his father had, too."
"Both Harrys were blessed with a very distinguished voice that you will never forget."
Nominator Sharon Mohagen, who noted Harry Michael's involvement in creating the haunted house fundraiser for the United Way, said "Harry Michael is the voice of our community."
Over the years Harry Michael been honoured with various awards and recognition including the Saskatchewan Country Music Association's Legends and Legacy Award in 1992, an award from the Saskatchewan Association of Broadcasters, recognition for assistance to the NBCHS Radio Station, an appreciation plaque from the Battlefords Wildlife Federation and honours from first responders, the MS Society, the Knights of Columbus, the United Way, the Turtle River Boxing Club and from the Battlefords North Stars.
Citizen of the year recognition comes at an important time for the Dekker family. Construction is still underway on the Harry Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, named for his father, with the grand opening of that facility likely to happen in the first half of 2012.
But it has also been an emotional and trying time as Harry's mother Christine passed away earlier this year. Harry told friends he would be glad to see 2011 in the rear view mirror given some of the trying times, but some happier recent events may have started to change his mind.
"Now I've recently got news I'm going to be a first-time grandfather, which is thrilling beyond belief," Harry said, with his daughter Donnica expecting in mid-June 2012.
Now with the news of being named citizen of the yYear Harry Michael says he is "now rethinking the whole 2011 attitude."
"It really is an honour, it humbles you beyond belief."
