Mr. Francis E. "Johnnie" Harrison Sr.

Francis Edward (Johnnie) Harrison, Sr., 79, of Union Bridge passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 6, 2014. He will be remembered for his zest for life and contagious smile. Born on a farm in Fred. Co. on Dec. 27, 1934 to Mary Catherine Broderick and Freddie Eugene Harrison (the fourth of five siblings). He grew up in the Mt. Airy, New Market, Woodbine areas. Left the farm in his late teens to try his hand at frame carpentry, driving a truck for Hahn’s in New Market, brick laying, and operating a backhoe. He was in the Army reserves from 1957 to 1962. He reported for active duty to Fort Meade during the Berlin Crisis which was averted before they were deployed to Germany. He learned to lay brick from Richard Putman for five years before going to work for himself in 1962. In 1972, F. E. Harrison & Sons, Inc. was established specializing in brick, block and fireplaces. Later he was said to have carried a “Roofers Card”- covered all things! He built spec houses, milking parlors, farm ponds, and installed septic systems. For 26 years, he had a contract to dig and bury cable and maintenance work for C&P Telephone Company. He started Jet Septic in 1997 with partner Tom Seal. Johnnie and his wife of 55 years, the former Edwina (Dwinnie) Linthicum, spent six years in the Sykesville area before moving to their farm near Libertytown in January 1965. Besides family, farming, and his construction business, he loved to collect tractors (large and small), fly his plane, and travel. He and Dwinnie eventually made it to all 50 states, Mexico, and Canada plus several cruises to the Caribbean. He was a member of the Elks, Moose, American Legion, MD Farm Bureau and Capital Area Light Flyers. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children, F. Edward Jr., Christie (friend Fred Kiger), Gregory (Kelly), James, and Joe (Dana), “stepson-in-law,” Ed Gunneaux, “adopted” sons, Michael Ferguson (Sandy), Tom Seal (Eileen) and Norman “Peanut” Pyles (Nancy), grandchildren: Ryan, Sarah, Frannie Harrison, Lynda Harrison, Dominic Picarella, Tyler Harrison, Diana McCutcheon, Crystal Harrison (Derek), Kelsie, Jacob, and Kaileigh Harrison, Amber and Jonathan Baxley, 7 great grandchildren, sister, Loretta Widerman, sister-in-laws, Jeannie Mullinix, Anita Sue Kent (Steve), and Shirley Harrison, many nieces and nephews, and LOTS of special friends. Besides his parents and in-laws, Edwin and Eileen Linthicum, he was predeceased by his son, John Franklin Harrison, daughter-in-law, Charlene (Dolly) Gunneaux, sister, Helen Vaughn, brothers, Robert E. Harrison and F. Eugene Harrison, Jr., sister-in-law, Mary Sue Harrison, brothers-in-law, Harold B. Mullinix and Paul Widerman. The family will receive friends at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Rd., Sykesville, MD from 2-4 and 6-8 on Wed., July 9 and 10-12 on Thurs., July 10 with a service to follow at noon. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the John Franklin Harrison Memorial Scholarship Fund, Community Foundation of Fred. Co., 312 E. Church St.,Frederick, MD 20701. www.haightfuneralhome.com

Mr. Francis E. "Johnnie" Harrison Sr.

December 27, 1934 - July 6, 2014