John Harrison

John H. Harrison

March 11, 1938 – November 22, 2022

John Harrison died peacefully at Regina Gardens Long-Term Care Home, Hamilton, on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. We, his daughters, would like to thank the staff in Regina Gardens Cootes Paradise neighbourhood for the excellent care they gave Dad in the two years that he lived there, and for the compassion they provided for both Dad and us during the last few days of his life.

Having worked in electronics in England, where he grew up, Dad made the switch to computer programming after moving to Canada, and worked for McMaster and St. Joseph's Hospitals. He could fix or build anything ... and although it would take him a while, he would do it perfectly.

Dad had many interests, including travel, his church, camping, and music. He performed in musical theatre in Mississauga and sang tenor in several Hamilton-area choirs, including the Bach Elgar Choir, choirs at the Ancaster Seniors Achievement Centre (ASAC), and the Villages of Glancaster choir. In addition, he directed the women's choir and played in the hand bell choir at ASAC.

Dad was a very giving person, and for several years, he volunteered his time to raise money for the Cancer Assistance Program. He also regularly gave blood through the Red Cross, reaching almost 200 donations of whole blood, plasma, and platelets.

Dad was gentle and kind, patient, nonjudgmental, and funny. He never missed an opportunity to share a "dad joke"—the cornier the pun, the better. We can't count the number of times we've been told how sweet Dad was. Many people were fortunate to count themselves among his friends over the years.

Last year, he celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife, Yvonne, whom he adored. Mom died later that year.

Dad is loved and will be missed by his daughters, Andrea (Bill Chambré) and Susan (Scott Bryant); his grandchildren, Sam, Cody, Emily, and Bobbie; and his family in England and the United States, with whom he shared a monthly video call early in November.

The family will be having private commemorations online and in Halifax. If you'd like to leave a note for the family, you can do so through the Affordable Burial and Cremation website. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wells for Well-Being (wellsforwellbeing.com) would be appreciated.