HARRISON, John Hartwell, Jr., Age 86, of Dedham, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home on April 2, 2023.
Born on July 19, 1936 in Brookline, MA to J. Hartwell Harrison, MD and Gertrude (Chisholm) Harrison, John attended Dexter School in Brookline and St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, prior to completing his high school education at Noble and Greenough School of Dedham, where he played football and hockey, in 1955. He graduated from Boston University in 1961 after spending two years at the University of Virginia. He led a rewarding career in insurance, spending the entirety of it at Minnesota Life Insurance.
After meeting at a dance, John married Sarah “Sally” Taylor in 1962, and together they had two daughters, Sarah “Scottie” and Hilary. They enjoyed spending quality time with family on Cape Cod in both Megansett and Cataumet during the summertime, as well as vacationing at Horizons and Cottages in Bermuda annually. John often delighted in playing family tennis tournaments at both locations.
A long-time member of The Country Club in Brookline, John spent a fair amount of time engaging in various activities there. Apart from participating in his regular men’s tennis group, John spent much of his time later in life frequenting the golf course. It wasn’t necessarily his performance that he cared about, as much as the interactions he had and the relationships he formed with fellow members and staff. He had a special way of striking up conversations with anyone and everyone and could always manage to find common ground. John had a genuine love of people.
Fondly referred to as “Dampa” by his grandchildren because his eldest granddaughter, Page, could not pronounce the “Gr” in Grampa, John could often be found supporting his grandchildren in the various sporting activities that they took part in. A frequent spectator at home games, John could always be caught on the sidelines, often taking up conversations with fellow adults and students alike, much to his grandchildren’s chagrin. His greatest joy may have been instilling a love for the game of golf in his grandchildren from a young age, often inviting them out for a round on The Primrose at The Country Club so he could share his favorite pastime. John was endlessly proud of both his children’s and grandchildren’s academic and professional accomplishments.
Predeceased by his younger brother, Jeffrey Harrison, John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sarah “Sally” (Taylor) Harrison, his daughters, Sarah “Scottie” Cochran of Westwood, MA, and Hilary Harrison of Gloucester, MA, his grandchildren, Page and Hilary Cochran, and Sabrina and Ariel Eduardo, his sister, Cornelia “Nina” Scribner, and her husband, Curtis, of Cumberland, ME, his brother, Robert “Bob” Harrison, and his wife, Chula, of Honolulu, HI, and his sister in law, Deborah “Debbie” Harrison of Dover, MA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on May 18, 2023 at the First Church and Parish in Dedham with a reception following. The burial will be held privately with members of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of John to the Thoracic (Lung) Cancer Treatment Center at Dana-Farber (link) or the athletics department at Noble and Greenough School (link).