Basil Harrison (1930-2018), of Leesburg, FL, loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather, left this world on April 30, 2018, with loved ones at his bedside, to be received by The Savior and loved ones in Heaven.
In his youth, Basil served his country as a midshipman on the USS Dyess, and his family/children as “Dad”/provider and the “guy who could fix anything”. He served his Lord, Jesus, as a faithful follower, by loving people everywhere. People have always gravitated toward Basil, even since his high school years when he was voted “most popular,” and was thought to have had the “nicest” smile and eyes. Those who became his friends later on will miss his subtle humor, quiet wisdom, and ever-present grace. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Basil lived and worked most of his life in Dutchess County, NY. His first job was delivering milk for the family dairy farm. Following his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he worked for various engineering firms, including IBM East Fishkill, where he retired in 1992 as an advisory engineer.
Later that year, he married Alice, his loving wife of twenty-five years. They retired to Leesburg, Florida in 1996, where they cultivated many friendships in their church, neighborhood, and beyond. Basil was a member of the First Baptist Church of Leesburg and Gideons International.
In addition to Alice, those surviving include Basil’s four children: (their mother was Trudy L. Harrison (1932-1977) Kathleen, Kenneth, Eve, and James, Alice’s three children: Andrea, Daryl, and Mark, as well as Basil’s older brother, J. Gregory Harrison, and many other relatives.
Over his lifetime, Basil’s family ties were strong. He made every effort to keep in touch with cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with a note or a phone call. Whenever he and Alice traveled, their plans would include a visit to family and friends far and wide.
