That is why Harman, a former Maitland Picker who died aged 63 years at Maitland Nursing Home on Tuesday morning, could not go anywhere without running into someone he knew – or someone who knew him.

Harman’s wife, Val Harman, said regardless of the occasion Harman was a recognisable figure.

“Everywhere we went, someone always knew Nev,” Val said.

“It didn’t matter where we were, someone would come up and say, ‘oh ... Nifty’.”

Harman, or Nifty as he was more commonly known, debuted for the Pickers in 1965 and in various grades during the 1960s and 1970s.

“He was known as Nifty because he was quite elusive for his bulky frame,” good friend and Pickers team-mate John Wolinski said.

In between his stints in black and white Harman – a fullback and winger turned front-rower – played in the Queensland Cup with Easts and Wynnum Manly where he reaffirmed his reputation as a quality kicker.

“He was renown for goal kicking and drop kicks,” manager of the 1969 Pickers premiership team and manager in the Queensland Cup competition Bob Taylor said.

“In an era when a bloke called Eric Simms was winning games with drop goals in Sydney, Nifty was doing it in Brisbane.

“A few times there he was the highest point scorer for the year.”

Harman also played and coached with teams at West Maitland and Greta.

But rugby league was not his only sport and Harman played cricket with Western Suburbs and juniors with Doug Walters at Maitland PCYC.

“He was a very good

all-rounder,” Pickers team-mate and fellow cricketer Brian Burke said.

Harman later coached open (2005) and reserve grade (2006) teams for Maitland and was a prime candidate to take on the Pickers reserve grade team for the club’s re-entry into the Newcastle Rugby League competition this season before the discovery of a brain tumour mid last year.

The Pickers Old Boys and the Men of League ran a benefit day for Harman in October last year and raised $14,000.

“Our family would like to thank everyone who helped out,” grandson Alex Threadgate said.

Despite complications from his illness Harman was able maintain strength and hold on – an attribute respected by daughter Kim Connolly.

“I hope I inherit that big heart of his, that is what kept him going so long,” Connolly said.

Harman’s memorial service will be held at the North Chapel at Newcastle Memorial Park, Beresfield tomorrow at 10am.

Following the service “cheers for Nifty” will be held in the front bar of the Bradford Hotel.