Mark J. Harrison

''I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith''. A beloved husband, father, brother, son, paw-paw and friend, Mark J. Harrison passed away peacefully at his home on June 27, 2003. He was a Baton Rouge business man and Certified Public Accountant. He was born in Gretna, Louisiana and was raised as a foster child in Metairie. He attended and was a band member of Fortier High School in New Orleans and a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Business. Because the state had helped with his early years of growth and development through the foster care system, he choose to give back to the first job as Assistant Comptroller of the former Department of Health and Human Services. After that he was an Accountant for Harry Cash Plumbing, Inc.; Certified Public Accountant with partners Erne Noble and Dave Mathes; and in private practice for over 40 years. He built the Baton Rouge Flea Market and Cypress Alley office building, both located on South Harrells Ferry Road. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge and a Cub Master with Boy Scouts of America. Mark loved fishing (especially ''chasing red fish his camp in Leeville). His other passion was Mardi Gras. ''If you haven't experienced Mardi Gras with Mark Harrison, you truly haven't experienced Mardi Gras.'' Left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife Judy Levy Harrison and his children Nell Hartsock and husband Jeremiah of Denham Springs; Scott Harrison and wife Zahra of Denver, Colorado; Beth St. Amand and husband Paul of Manhattan, Kansas; Dean Harrison and girlfriend Kirsten Faust of Baton Rouge; Andrew Ganucheau of Chicago, Illinois; and Matthew Gancheau of Boston, Massachusetts; his grandchildren William and Christine Diel; Scotty, Omid and Sara Harrison; Allie, Gregory and Daniel St. Amand and great grandchild William Diel. His brothers Anthony Bertuccinni and wife Muriel of Metairie; Louis Albert Harrison of California; foster brother Tommie Pewitt and wife Juanita of Metairie; foster mother Olivia Pewitt and foster sister Betty Bennett of Kenner, and former wife Ruth Ellison Harrison. He also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in his death by his mother Georgiana Dingeman Bertuccinni, father James Albert Harrison, foster father Albert Pewett and brother Edward Harrison. A special thank-you goes to Dr. Joel Silverberg, Janine and Laurie; Dr. Joseph Deumite and the coumadin clinic; and loving caregivers Patricia Bello and Anita Morgan. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews: William Diel; Scotty and Omid Harrison; Gregory and Daniel St. Amand; Dr. Jeffrey Moonan; Stephen and Tyler Ellison; Alan Pewitt. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Joel Silverberg, Enise Breaux, Raymond Morgan, Bill Adams, Dave Mathes, Laney Joe Hughes, Frank Dickenson, Doug Jones and Merle Grimes-all longtime friends. Visitation will be held Monday, June 30th from 5:50 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East and from 10:00 a.m. til services in the funeral home chapel at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1st. Conducted by Rabbi Barry Weinstein of B' nai Israel Synagogue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge, La. 70810 or the Louisiana Children's Trust Fund, Post Office 3318, Baton Rouge, La. 70801.