Harrison, Thomas, 1977, CDR USN (ret)

THOMAS PAUL HARRISON, 1955 - 2023

Monday, March 21st, 1955 - Saturday, October 21st, 2023

Plymouth, MA – Thomas (Tom) Paul Harrison, age 68, of Plymouth, MA, died peacefully and surrounded by his wife and daughters on October 21, 2023, after bravely battling pancreatic cancer for almost a year.

 Tom was born in Wilmington, DE and moved to West Chester, PA during elementary school. He attended Henderson High School and loved playing the trombone in the school’s marching band. Despite being spirited in all the ways that only a young man can, teasing his sister and pushing his mother’s buttons, Tom earned the rank of Eagle Scout and took the values and characteristics instilled in him to heart.

 Tom’s strong sense of duty to serve led him to join the ROTC program at Penn State University, where he earned a BA in Political Science. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Hawkins and USS Belknap, sailing the Atlantic Ocean from Canada to Cuba. Tom was deeply honored to serve in the Navy, and cherished the life and leadership lessons he learned. After active duty, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and eventually retired as a Commander.

 After active duty, Tom worked at Merck, Sharpe, and Dohme and earned an MA in Human Organization Science from Villanova University. An ardent learner, Tom earned two more degrees: a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School and a Master of Law in Banking and Commercial Law from Boston University. Beginning in 1986, Tom had the honor of working at three excellent law firms, serving a variety of clients with their business needs. In 2011, Tom decided to hang up his own shingle as he wanted to be able to help his clients with more than just legal work, and enjoy more time at home. One of his frustrations with having cancer was that it interfered with his ability to continue helping his clients whom he cared about so much. 

 Tom’s love of learning took him into the field of teaching beginning in 1992, when he joined Eastern Nazarene College’s LEAD program as a part-time instructor. Ten years ago, Tom became a part-time Admin Faculty member responsible for directing the Pre-Law program, teaching/designing courses for Pre-Law and Business, and acting as a marketplace ambassador. He also joined Boston University School of Law’s staff in 2012 as a part-time Lecturer in Law, teaching Contract Drafting. He always said that his students were smarter than he was, but that he was one lecture ahead of them.

 A boy scout and naval officer through and through, a great day for Tom would be spent outdoors: fishing, canoeing, swimming, riding ocean waves, playing golf, working in the yard, or tending to his dock. Tom loved to travel and planning the trip was just the beginning of the fun. He would spend hours researching things to do, places to eat, and how to experience the culture, creating many unforgettable experiences.

He loved and enjoyed his friends and extended family, especially his brothers-in-law. Whether they grabbed a cup of coffee, shared a meal, served on a committee, beat him in golf, enjoyed a cigar, chatted about the news, prayed with and for each other, teased unmercifully, or discussed serious things, he was up for it and came home a happier man.

 Spending time as a family was incredibly important to Tom. He delighted in making pancakes for breakfast, eating dinner as a family, attending church, enjoying various activities, teasing his girls, or just being home watching a movie. As his family grew to include sons-in-law and grandchildren, Tom wanted everyone together. He loved them fiercely. The time spent together in Maine or on our pond, throwing someone in the water, talking on the beach/deck, and stealing hugs, kisses, and giggles from his grands, was his favorite.

 Most important to Tom was his faith in Jesus Christ. Tom’s Christian walk began at a young age; he loved attending church, learning about his faith, and attending various Bible Studies throughout the years. He lived his faith genuinely, consistently, and with a humble spirit. We are comforted by the thought of Christ welcoming him into heaven as His good and faithful servant.

 Tom leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Kathleen (Kathy) Harrison, his two daughters and their spouses Sarah and Josh Curtis of Lewisberry, PA, and Lauren and Erikk Hokenson of Milton, MA, as well as his four  grandchildren – Emma, Katie, Anna, and Aivery. Tom is survived by his sister Virginia Conover and his brother Timothy Harrison, both of NC, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. His loving spirit, hearty guffaw, bearlike hands, wise counsel, and generous presence will be deeply missed, and yet we praise God for the time we had, and find peace in knowing he will greet us in heaven.