Allan Al Henry Harrison

Allan (Al) Henry Harrison passed away in Calgary on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at the age of 91. He was born in Lamont, Alberta on December 24, 1919, second son of Arthur Joseph Harrison, and Lillian Isabel Yerex. He leaves his loving wife of 63½ years, Luella Gertrude (Scott), children Marion Gaye Harrison (husband Peter Thompson), David Brian Huron (partner Kristin Elena Precoda), Kenneth Bruce Harrison (wife Elizabeth Harrison-Cain), Douglas Allan Harrison, grandson Casey Scott Harrison, and great grandson Zachary Isaac James Jensen.

Raised in Tofield, Alberta, he was educated at the University of Alberta. As a Lancaster pilot in WWII he flew 32 missions with Five Group Bomber Command for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his service. He proudly contributed to the development of Canadian agriculture through the Veterans Land Administration in Peace River and Drumheller, and the Farm Credit Corporation in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa. Al completed his public service working for the Economics Branch, Canada Agriculture as Executive Director of CANFARM in Guelph.

He enjoyed a long and happy retirement in Calgary as husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, enjoying winters in Superstition Sunrise, Arizona. Al wrote an extensive autobiography, including details of prairie life during the Great Depression, his war experiences, Canadian agricultural policy, and family life. A copy is deposited in Library and Archives Canada.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s honor may be made to The Kidney Foundation of Canada (6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H OG5) or to the CNIB (15 Colonel Baker Place NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 4Z3. Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family in the Guest Book section found adjacent to this obituary.