FERNDALE, Mich. — Age really is just a number for longtime Credit Union ONE staffer Harry Nowell who will celebrate his 90th birthday on July 8, 2008.
For the past 10 years Nowell has been working in the credit union's mail processing center. Prior to that, he'd been active in the purchasing-facilities departments, since joining the credit union in 1981. The credit union believes he may be the oldest credit union employee currently working.
His CU ONE experience marks his third career. Nowell, who was born in Montreal, Quebec, came to live in the U.S. when he was eight years old, graduated from Central High School in Detroit and acquired his citizenship as a young adult. He was married in 1941 to Elizabeth and established residence in Ferndale, Mich., where they raised their eight children. Over the years, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren have been born.
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After being drafted into the Army in 1943 and spending three years in Europe, he went to work for Ford Hospital and retired as assistant to the chief of maintenance in 1968. He then took over management of a manufacturing facility in Davison, Mich., and retired in 1981, when he returned to the Detroit area and began to work for CU ONE.
"I was looking for something to keep me busy and it couldn't be better working here as a senior citizen," said Nowell. "I started out here when I was 62 in maintenance, which meant shoveling snow, changing light bulbs and other activities that I probably shouldn't be doing now, so 10 years ago they put me to work in the mailroom. The team here really is my second family."
And like all families there's a little friendly rivalry when it comes to sports. A lifelong University of Michigan and Detroit Tiger fan, Nowell and CU ONE Chief Financial Officer Scott Sommers, a diehard Notre Dame fan, often engage in Monday morning discussions throughout the season.
Over the years, Nowell's favorite activities outside of work include spending time at his summer home in Beulah, Mich., with his family, cheering on his favorite teams. He is also active in the community and volunteers for the Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank, Ford Hospital, Providence Hospital, St. Joseph Oakland Hospital and most recently Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital.
Nowell says eventually he'll have to retire due to a diagnosis of macular degeneration but for now he's enjoying his job and CU ONE family.
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