Bobby Harrison

Bobby Harrison Executive Director, John F. Kennedy Center Bobby Harrison, 65, 2032 E. 20th St., passed away unexpectedly Sunday, September 24, 2006, at Saint Vincent Health Center. In this world of sin, sorrow and death, no condition in life is proof against the immutable decree of God “Unto dust thou shall return.” The sorrow brought in his home by death casts a shadow over the domestic circle so deep that only Jesus, the light of the world, can remove it. We pause today to shed a tear in memory of one so dear, whose life stands forth as a guiding star. His deeds stand out like diamonds that brightly gleam. His many words of kindness and tender grade will ever be remembered by us all. Bobby was trained to labor and wrestle with difficult affairs and people loved him for his fine traits of character, and so many will miss his kind deeds. Bobby Harrison was born in Heidelberg, Mississippi on March 29, 1941. He was the fifth of nine children born to the late Will Harrison, Sr. and the late Hazel Thigpen Harrison. His father worked on the railroad. His mother, a deeply religious woman, was a housewife. He united with the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church at an early age in Heidelberg. Mr. Harrison graduated from Southside High School in Heidelberg, Miss. in 1960 and from Okolona College with a degree in business administration in 1964. He moved to Erie in 1964 and took up residence in Franklin Terrace, and later, lived in Harbor Homes Annex. After moving to Erie, he united with the Morning Star Baptist Church and was currently a member of the Mt. Ebal Baptist Church. Mr. Harrison worked at the General Electric Company as an assembler from 1965 until 1967. He worked at GECAC as an outreach caseworker and then director of the Emergency Food and Medical Supplies Program. In 1968, he found his passion â€" the John F. Kennedy Center and service to the community. Mr. Harrison was the founding executive director of the John F. Kennedy Center. In that capacity, he moved the agency from an old storefront with a staff of two to the present multi-purpose facility with a staff of 20 and a budget of nearly $1 million. As executive director of JFK, Mr. Harrison developed numerous health and social service programs for the lower income and temporarily disadvantaged. Under his leadership, the following programs continue to operate at the agency â€" JFK senior center (1972); Child and Adult Care Food Program (2005); after-school sports and recreation (1972); after-school educational assistance (1990); JFK Kids Cafe (2005); social service information and referral (1977); Walking in Black History (1990); Flagship Niagara Little League Football and Cheerleading Program (2001); NW Pennsylvania Freedom Institute (2001); JFK music program (1994); JFK performing arts (2001); and JFK computer lab (1994); and JFK Library (2006). Other programs developed by Mr. Harrison during his 40-year tenure as JFK’s executive director included child day care; a primary health care clinic; licensed medical laboratory; the JFK Pharmacy; Island of Beauty, a drug and alcohol prevention program that was replicated and continues to operate on the island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas; Dopebustars, a drug prevention program; Stress Clinic headed by Dr. R. Anthony Snow; the Maternity Services Program; the Eastside Kiwanis Club; JFK Safety Patrol; the United Brothers and Sisters of Erie (UBASOE), a volunteer service club that operated a summer jobs program for lower income youth; and the Center of the Plate, a diabetic meal program developed in cooperation with Saint Vincent Health Center and the main campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Harrison was one of the co-founders of the United Neighborhood Facilities Health Care Corporation in the early 70s. Today, UNFHCC operates the Erie County Sickle Cell Anemia program and the Erie County WIC program. Mr. Harrison started several entrepreneurial projects. They included the Eagle Inn Restaurant (1975), PT 109 Restaurant and Lounge (1982), and the JFK Car Care Center (1982). In 1983, he worked extensively with Carl Schlemmer, the Vice President and General Manager of Erie’s General Electric Company to open the JFK Minority Development Corporation, now called NMA, Inc., a non-metallic machining and assembly shop. At the time of his death, Mr. Harrison served as NMA’s CEO; was a member of the Hamot Medical Center Board of Corporators; and served as President of UNFHCC. As a community leader, Mr. Harrison was involved in numerous projects serving the lower income and temporarily disadvantaged. He received over 40 different awards from various state and local organizations including an Erie City Council Appreciation Award (1973), the Mayor’s Certificate of Merit (1974), the International Mason and Eastern Star Service Award (1976), Central City NATO Appreciation Award (1978), NAACP Freedom Fund Award (1979), American Legion Post 700 Appreciation Award (1979), GECAC Commemoration Award (1980); UNFHCC Certificate of Merit Award (1980), a key to the city of Erie (1984), the American Red Cross Appreciation Award, the Bicentennial Award for Unique Concern for People, and the GECAC Special Recognition Award. On May 5, 2005, Mr. Harrison was recognized for his commitment and contributions to the community when the new football field at the Roger Young Park was named the Bobby Harrison Field. At the dedication ceremony, John E. Horan, executive director of the Erie Housing Authority said “When it comes to football and youth in the City of Erie, I can’t think of a more deserving individual than Bobby Harrison, who has dedicated his life to the betterment of all the people in our community. His quiet manner does not reveal his determination to help everyone who comes his way and needs his help”. At the dedication ceremony for the Bobby Harrison Field, Mr. Harrison said “When it comes to being disadvantaged, we’re all the same. The disadvantaged white man is in the same boat as the disadvantaged black. We’re all the same, all the same.” Mr. Harrison, in his 40 years of service to the Erie community, recognized that fact and acted upon it. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Johnnie Mae Arrington, and two brothers, J. L. Harrison and Will Harrison, Jr. Mr. Harrison leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 43 years, Wilma Plummer Harrison; three daughters, Sabrina (Kevin) Kuroda of Erie; Teresa (Aris) Rogers of Valrico, Florida; and Ashantay Harrison of Erie; five sisters, Willie Mae Thomas and Jimmie Lee Ducksworth, both of Heidelberg, MS, Mary Louise (Cleveland) Ulmer, twin Barbara Jean (James) Person, both of Erie, and Dorothy Jean (Jerry) Austin of Marietta, GA; seven grandchildren, Anthony, Andre, Aaron, Amanda and Angela Kuroda; and Aris, II. and Nickolas Rogers; Shirley Crockett, a sister more than a niece; four step-brothers; four step-sister; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; adopted mother Virgie Brown; adopted sister Thelma Grady; and the board and staff of the John F. Kennedy Center. Friends and associates may visit with the family on Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the John F. Kennedy Center, 2021 Buffalo Rd. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, 901 E. 5th St., with Rev. Amos Goodwine, Sr. of Morning Star Baptist Church officiating and Rev. Cleveland E. Ulmer, his brother-in-law, of Mt. Ebal Baptist Church eulogizing. Interment in Lakeside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the JFK Flagship Niagara Little League Football and Cheerleading Program or the Erie County Diabetes Association. Funeralization by Law Funeral Home, 1861 Buffalo Rd. Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits.