Albert R. Harrison

Albert R. Harrison, 84, of Main Street, Kingston died Monday morning April 11, 2011 at home, with his wife and daughter by his side. He was born June 21, 1926 in Patchogue, Long Island, NY to Amelia and Fred Harrison.


Al's first two years were spent in East Setauket; the next 16 years were spent on the Tinker Estate in the village of Poquot. He attended Setauket schools and then transferred to Port Jefferson High School. He played on all of the athletic teams at both schools, and in 1944 he was awarded the football jersey as the outstanding player on the team. He graduated as valedictorian of his class.


He joined the U.S. Navy during WW2 and was discharged with the rank ETM 3rd class. After discharge from the service, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1951. While at RPI he joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and was the house manager for two years. After graduation he worked for Sylvania Military Products Division in Buffalo, NY for three years before starting with IBM in Poughkeepsie on the design of their first computer. He was with IBM for 36 ½ years in a variety of activities before retiring in 1990. After retiring, he was an active member of the IBM Quarter Century Club and very active with the RPI Alumni committees. For a number of years he was on campus once a month. He was part of the Class of 1951 committee that established three endowments for RPI. RPI recognized him for his support with the Demers Award in 2005.


Al loved people, all sports, especially golf, gardening, bridge and the Old Dutch Reformed Church. He was on the Reformed Church committees from the local church to the Synod level for over 40 years.


On May 10th, 1952 he married a beautiful lady named Betty McPhail Ward in Delhi, NY. They celebrated 59 wonderful years of marriage. Additionally, Al is survived by his loving daughter Diane Harrison of Burke, VA, and a very dear friend Janie Kirk of Lewisburg, WV. His brother Fred and his wife Carolyn Harrison of Melville, NY, his nephews Charlie and his wife Michelle Bubnis of Marlinton, WV; Bob and his wife Joy Harrison of La Mesa, CA; Jimmy and his wife Debbie Harrison of Melville, NY. His nieces Cathy and her husband Ray Moore of Northport, NY and Laurie and her husband Steve Slade of Berne, NY. He was predeceased by a sister Edythe Bubnis and a brother Jack Harrison.


Entrusted to care of the A. Carr and Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Ave., Kingston, NY. The family will receive their friends on Thursday from 4 - 7 pm. The service will be on Friday at 2 p.m.


The family suggests memorial contributions to American Heart Association, 301 Manchester Road, Suite 105, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or Hospice of Ulster County, 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401.


Light a candle in memory of Al at www.ACarrandsonFuneralhome.com