Frank X. Harrison

Frank Harrison Jr., the son of Frank Sr. and Margaret, was born on November 17, 1932 in Paterson, New Jersey. He loved growing up in the “silk city” and often reminisced about his childhood friendships, which lasted throughout his lifetime.

From his Coral Street bedroom window, he could see his red brick schoolhouse, which he claimed looked like a university to him. Its playground was a hub of activity for the local kids. They played touch football and basketball, shooting hoops with the help of the local grocer, Lambert, who supplied them with peach baskets that rarely lasted more than an hour from the trauma of the ball.

He was drafted in 1952 at 20-years-old, and in '53, he boarded a train from Camp Kilmer, N.J. for two years of army life with Battery B of the 551stAnti-Aircraft Division. The army took him to bases in Georgia, Texas, and California, not too far from Hollywood. He penned heartfelt letters to his parents regularly, often addressing them as his “best pals.”

Frank was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan. It was Ebbets Field - named for a man named Charlie Ebbets – where he saw his first live game in 1945. He sat so close to third base he said he could have reached out and touched Frenchy Bordagaray, the Dodgers’ third sacker. He also described left fielder Augie Galan and his hero Dixie Walker, claiming those two guys - along with center fielder Goodie Rosen - comprised the greatest outfield in the history of baseball.

Frank knew all about basketball, baseball, and football from sandlot days and figured he could learn about hockey on ice or in a field if it became necessary. Starting in the obituaries and learning the art of scribing on the job, Frank went on to become a sports writer, with columns in several New Jersey papers.

In 1957, he met his future wife, Valerie, at a dance hall. He was drawn to her immediately, and when he learned her favorite singer was Frank Sinatra, he liked her even more. Soon after, he took her to see Sinatra at Skinny D’Amato’s 500 Club in Atlantic City.

Frank and Valerie were married on May 7, 1960 in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. Three children, Frank III, Hallie, and Courtney, followed. In 1965, the growing family moved from Paterson to Pines Lake in Wayne. The long summer days were especially memorable: swimming at the beach, visiting friends and relatives, rooting for the Mets or Yankees, and shooting hoops. Frank became a sailing enthusiast for a while and purchased a small yellow Sailfish. Unsuccessful attempts to harness the lake's winds were not uncommon, but it didn't matter if the boat was tipping over, filling with summer rain, or stagnating far from shore. It was always an adventure.

By summer of 1976, the family moved to Sarasota, Florida, where Frank founded Harrison Public Relations. He took pictures and created newsletters for various golf communities and businesses, and his office was in the house. He was always there for family; they were his everything. He and Valerie attended St. Thomas More Church for over 35 years.

Frank retired in 1998 but had no intention of slowing down. He began taking computer lessons, crafting videos, and typing out the events and memories of his life. Five or six times a week, he could be found at the YMCA, and for decades, he spent time each day with his beloved mother. His devotion enabled her to maintain her independent lifestyle until she turned 100; she passed away in December of 2013 at 102-years-old.

Frank’s first grandchild, Adam, was born in 1997, followed by Paige in 1999 and Payton in 2003. Together with Valerie, he injected quality time, laughter, and joy into their days. He always said “the man who tries is the man who wins” and to “be real.” Besides sharing wisdom and his favorite poems - including “The Village Blacksmith” (he especially loved the penultimate stanza) and “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” - he wrote poetry too.

Through a kind word, a joke, or his easy smile, he left people better than he found them. It was no accident he was unanimously voted ‘class wit’ in 1950 during his senior year at St. Mary’s in Paterson. He will be heartily missed.

His wife Valerie, his adult children, Frank Harrison (Gabby), Hallie Harrison, Courtney Lewandrowski (Greg), and his grandchildren, Adam Harrison, Paige Lewandrowski, and Payton Lewandrowski, survive him. The funeral mass and a celebration of life gathering will be held at Incarnation Church at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22nd. Internment will follow at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

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