Don Glenn Harrison

Don was born on August 23, 1952 at A.O. Fox Hospital to Wilma (Cornell) and Glenn Harrison. He lived at the Harrison Homestead and worked on the family farm throughout his entire childhood, which instilled his strong work ethic and undeniable drive. Without a doubt, his dream job was to own and operate a farm.

Don graduated from Laurens Central School in 1970 and attended SUNY Cobleskill College of Agriculture and Technology. He graduated with his Associate degree in Animal Science in 1972 and continued his family’s long legacy of farming on Harrison Hill. He proudly operated his own dairy farm with his brother, Jay, until 1998.

In 1991, he married his wife and soon-to-be lifetime best friend, Jeanne. In 1993, they welcomed a daughter, Sara. Don also proudly helped to raise Jeanne’s son, Michael Touse. Don was so proud of both of his children’s accomplishments.

In 1998, Don took change in stride and focused all of his time and attention on becoming a Registered Nurse. Throughout two years of strong dedication, motivation, and resilience, he graduated from SUNY Delhi with his Associate degree in Nursing in 2000. Without hardly a blink of an eye, Don became Director of Psychiatric Services at A.O. Fox Hospital for both the Adult and Adolescent Units. Among his achievements at Fox Hospital, he developed a program that allowed Psychology majors at Hartwick College to complete internships as technicians in the psychiatry units. This allowed them to develop into stronger clinicians in the workforce. He took great pride in being involved in providing exceptional psychiatric care to members of our small community.

Don eventually took one more career leap by obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and becoming Director of Psychiatric services at Binghamton General Hospital. He played a vital role in implementing CPEP, the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, at Binghamton General Hospital. Don accomplished more in the last 15 years of his career than many people do in a lifetime.

Five years ago, Don decided to retire and spend the winters in Celebration, Florida, with his wife, Jeanne. He had a love for good seafood, a winning Yankee game, politics, gardening, holidays, renovating houses, and managing the stock market like a stockbroker on Wall Street. His jokes could light up any room and usually took a few beats for people to understand because they were so witty, which was part of the joy for him.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Wilma and Glenn Harrison.

Don is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Waring) Harrison; daughter, Sara Harrison (Michael Vennard) of Voorheesville, NY; stepson, Michael (Ellie) Touse and grandchildren, Jack, Rachel, and Claire of McLean VA; sister, Joy (Gary) Gray of Mt. Vision; brother, Jay Harrison (Jeanne Conroy) of Milford, NY; Aunt and Uncle, Faith and Bob Cornell of Bedford, VA; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Friends are invited to greet the family on Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta, where a funeral service will take place immediately following at 4 pm.

Burial will take place at the convenience of the family in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory are asked to be made to the Otsego FFA, 1914 Co Hwy 35, Milford, NY 13807.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com for the Harrison family.