Obituary of James Harrison

Chief Warrant Officer James Robert Waller Harrison, MMM, CD2, 39 years of service with The Kent Regiment, the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and the Administrative Branch of the Canadian Forces, followed by 8 years with the Corps of Commissionaires as a security guard at Navistar in Chatham (as an escape from some of the "honey-do's" at home), this old soldier has finally faded away after 89 years of this life and has passed on to (horrifying thought) my just rewards. Sole issue of the marriage of deWarrenne Waller Harrison and Nona Eileen Harrison (nee Dobson) of Chatham, both long deceased, and predeceased by his wife and life partner of 68 years Clairanne Margaret Harrison (nee Case) and survived by their five children, John Scott Waller Harrison and wife Wendy Leigh (Ottawa), Joanne Leslie (Mrs C Buell) of Winnipeg, Robert Stephen Harrison (Ft St James BC), Pamela Eileen (Mrs Lloyd Lord) of Winnipeg and Evelyn Kim Harrison (Lethbridge Alta), a passel of grandchildren and a growing herd of great-grandchildren. Lucky all of my life, the right mother who encouraged my participation in Sea and Army cadets and Militia in recognition of my having been raised in mostly an all female environment. Chosen by the right twin to be her husband and the father of their five children each of which in their own way make me proud of what they have made of their life after surviving the gypsy-like style of living due to their father's chosen career as a soldier with constant moves with different schools and teaching methods and a mother who on occasion had to perform as both mother and father. And, of course, so lucky in sharing with my beloved wife 68 years of togetherness. Life had its up's and downs for us but we both managed to attain every target we set for ourselves, which in my case included quitting 'cold turkey' a two pack a day smoking habit on one of our anniversaries and sticking with that promise entirely. An unexpected win of a German lottery near the end of my military service guaranteed us a mortgage-free retirement in a home selected by my wife and redesigned to fit my lady's dreams of a kitchen suitable for someone five feet tall with every shelf reachable without a ladder and a kitchen island of exactly the right height for beating bread dough into shape (an infrequent event usually brought about by something I had done-or not done). And lucky again to discover what wonderful neighbors came with that house. And finally I thank God for hearing my prayer for survival to be there to care for my wife until I had to admit that she needed more and better care than I was providing and finding her a place at Riverview Gardens where after five years she slipped away in her sleep but hopefully aware of my final words to her "I will always love you". As I write this I am enjoying (somewhat) the opportunity of paying back some of the kindness I have found in others and the ability to return a kindness as needed. If you feel you must, then a contribution to your local Salvation Army (who are always there in the field for our troops). Private arrangements have taken place. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com McKinlay Funeral Home 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, 519-351-2040