ROY E. HARRISON

     Roy E. Harrison, 95, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. He was born in Worcester, the son of Clyde and Bernice (Taylor) Harrison and had graduated from Charlton High School.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley (Warren) Harrison; two stepdaughters, Marilynn Bonnivier of Skaneateles, NY and Sharon Green, wife of David Vinick of Morrisville, VT; one stepson, John W. Anderson and his wife, Maureen of Shrewsbury; eight grandchildren, Paige B. Hassall of Sugarland, TX, Erika L. Davis of Skaneateles, NY, Jamie T. Anderson and his wife, Carmen Nina of Framingham, Meaghan A. Lincoln and her husband, Brendan of Dartmouth, Stephen A. Anderson, Jr. of New London, CT, Erin T. Martin of Buffalo, NY, Hilary Payne-Vinick of North Ferrisburg, VT and Sarah Payne-Vinick of Hyde Park, VT. Roy is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren, Alaina, Mallory, Jacob, Miranda, Cammie, Stephen III, Hannah, Emily, Oliver, Lydia, Haylie, Sofia, Ally, Gabriel, Ethan, Anastasia, and Aiden. Roy was predeceased by his brother, Ward F. Harrison and his wife, Ann; his stepson, Stephen A. Anderson and his wife, Rosemary; and his stepson-in-law, Bernard W. Bonnivier.

Roy founded the Roy E. Harrison Asphalt Paving Company, Inc. in 1947 and served as president and treasurer until the company was sold in 1995. He also owned Roy Harrison Realty, which built and owned apartment buildings.

Roy served in the Amphibious Force of the U. S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. He participated in the campaigns in Africa, Sicily, Italy, and landed on Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion.

Roy was a private pilot and flew his own plane out of the Worcester airport. He also enjoyed horseback riding, boating, racket ball, traveling and family gatherings.

Roy was a member of the First Congregational Church of Paxton, the Joel H. Prouty Lodge of Masons, Aletheia Grotto, Melha Shrine, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Worcester Fitness Center.

Roy was a friend to all and a loving husband and stepfather. He will be truly missed by his extended family and all those he befriended.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Funeral services for Mr. Harrison will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, in the First Congregational Church of Paxton, One Church Street, Paxton, MA 01612. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church of Paxton, or Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.