Her 65 years with the company didn’t go unnoticed.
Co-workers put together — behind her back, she pointed out — a carry-in lunch as part of a February anniversary celebration that Harakay said also featured her family, company officials, three cakes, a sundae bar and a video of senators and others offering words of congratulations. Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor stopped by with recognition from Gov. John Kasich who was on the presidential campaign trail and a Doris Harakay Day was declared in the city of Vandalia.
Poster boards with photos of co-workers and a plaque featuring an airplane part Harakay worked on before moving to the stockroom were among mementoes. The balloons declaring “65” continued earlier this month to festoon the living room of her home in Union for more than 50 years.
Harakay was 18 when she was hired on at the then-Leland Electric in Dayton for 89 cents per hour. She needed a better paying job because her husband was heading off to the military during the early 1950s with the Korean War raging.
“I got a better job because I was going to raise a child by myself. My girlfriend’s mother worked there and they were going to change over and do war work. I got in,” she recalled. “And, no I didn’t expect to be there 65 years. At that time, it wasn’t in my plans.”
Over the years the company changed owners five times and Harakay was among employees who went with the company to Vandalia. “I just stayed, and they let me,” she said.
She has missed little work over the years. She said she has the blessings of good health and of good family including three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
“As long as I feel good I will continue working. I told my boss if he felt I couldn’t hold up my end and do my job, he should tell me.” Harakay said. “As of now, I am going gung ho.”
About the Author