Roy Calvin Harrison passed away peacefully with his family at his side on April 30 at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was born on November 27, 1952 at A. O. Fox Hospital to Eva (Brown) and Paul Selkirk Harrison.
Roy and his siblings grew up on the family dairy farm, locally known as the Harrison Homestead, in the towns of Laurens, Hartwick and Milford. Roy was proud to eventually own the farm which was established by the Harrison family in 1792. During his youth he was very active in the local 4-H club named Bowe Hill Snowdrops and showed the farm's Guernsey cows at multiple dairy shows. Roy took a keen interest in basketball and played for the Laurens Leopards basketball team under the guidance of the then coach, Pat Grasso, and assistant coach, Don Craig. His efforts paid off when he was chosen Most Valuable Player for 1971.
From his youth into his adulthood Roy was a member of the Mt. Vision United Methodist Church. His interests were wide and varied but all were based on his sense of creativity. Being a “farm kid” he learned from his father and was self-taught. As a kid, he built go karts and later learned to weld which enabled him to design and build self-crafted motor vehicles. He took on making and selling maple products by building and operating his own sugar house. He built an over-sized lathe and built an apple press enabling him to bottle his own “Harrison Hill” cider. He harvested logs to cut into lumber using the farm's sawmill. He enjoyed outdoor life and became an avid snowmobiler and hunter.
Roy served as town Supervisor for the Town of Laurens for years and was also employed by the Laurens Village Cemetery. Roy was recalled as wearing his bib overalls and straw hat while working in the cemetery.
Roy was a man of few words but had a quick sense of humor which opened new doors for him by making lifelong friendships. He greatly enjoyed his time working in radio with his friends Doug Decker and Doug Cameron. Roy was featured weekly on a segment called “Roy’s Bait, Tackle, and Bakery” where he was the owner of a fictitious small town establishment. Another memory Roy shared with his two buddies was taking part in the baseball movie “A League of Their Own” in 1992. Each year at Christmas, Roy's full and fluffy white beard that once adorned his face became familiar to his friends and family. He created a new Christmas card featuring “Santa” in a different sports uniform each year.
Roy always longed to be included in activities but due to his failing health was unable to participate. Realizing this, his friend and neighbor, Mike Rosa, kept Roy occupied by making frequent home visits which sometimes included sharing a meal while viewing episodes of Gunsmoke together. This was in lieu of their former lunch outings.
Roy is predeceased by his parents, Paul and Eva Harrison, his oldest sister, Marjory Harrison and his nephew, Christopher Ashburn. He is survived by his brother, Lee Harrison, sister, Mildred Ashburn, sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Barry Brick, niece, Tedi Kay Kohinke, niece and husband, Jenny Ashburn and Jason Irwin, and nephew, Eddie Kohinke.
Friends are invited to greet the family on Saturday, May 18 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, A time of sharing will immediately follow. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family at the Mt. Vision Cemetery.
In Roy's memory donations may be made to the Laurens Village Cemetery, PO Box 228, Laurens, NY 13796 or to the Laurens Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, PO Box 33, Laurens, NY 13796.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0