James Bryan Harrison

James Bryan Harrison, 74, died peacefully at home with his family on April 9, 2022, from prostate cancer, which he has been bravely fighting since 2005. He was born May 10, 1947, in Rockville Centre, NY, the son of James E. Harrison and Audrey Fenton Harrison. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Jovanka Harrison; three children, Dawn Harris (Mark), Rachel Dewald (Kirk), and Glenn Harrison (Amy); four grandchildren, Corina and Eli Dewald, and Grace and Daniel Harrison; two sisters, Jean Danver (Andy) and Sue Ellen Harrison (James); and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Bryan was a very inquisitive child who always was looking for the next adventure. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, near a creek and woodland area provided numerous exploratory opportunities for Bryan and his friends: forts, mud fights and encounters with an occasional water moccasin. His junior high years were spent in Greenlawn, NY, where sailing and sports became the norm. In his sophomore year in high school, his family moved to Rumson, NJ. He was immediately popular, not a common thing for a “new” kid, but Bryan’s outgoing personality immediately had him accepted by classmates, particularly the girls. He was a 1965 graduate of Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High School, where he excelled in academics, football and the occasional prank with his buddies. Bryan graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with two bachelor degrees, Bachelor of Science in Building Science (1969) and Bachelor of Architecture (1970). While at RPI, he worked in the Troy Architectural Program, redesigning buildings to better his community and help house the underserved. With his good friend Bob Marriott he joined TAP, Inc., in its early days, an organization which still exists today and continues the mission to restore, rebuild, and revitalize urban neighborhoods and historic structures. This led to him becoming the City Planner of Troy, the City Planner of Cohoes, and then the planner for Warren County, NY. He later worked in finance and eventually became a consultant, ensuring building projects complied with environmental regulations. In 1967 he married Nancy Kendrick, and with Nancy they raised their three children – Dawn, Rachel and Glenn. Bryan and Nancy raised their children to be active in their education and sports but were known by their friends as the “Adventure Family” because of their passion for outdoors. In 2001 he married Jovanka Nikolic and together they created a home always open to family and friends. Bryan was a most loving and supportive husband and will be forever missed. He wholeheartedly supported the “Secret Gardens Tour” fundraiser of Soroptimist International of Saratoga County. Throughout his life, Bryan cherished the annual hunting trips to Brandreth with his hunting buddies/cousins Tim Potter, Howie Bronson and David Keefe. Some years he hunted while other years he took pictures, enjoying the silence of nature. Cross-country skiing was a passion of his that inspired the youth (especially his son Glenn) to pursue their athleticism, coaching in the KOCH ski league in Glens Falls. While living in Troy he played semi-pro football for the Troy Titans. And he loved the time he spent at the family summer home at West Gilgo Beach on Long Island. He will always be remembered as that wonderful guy, full of enthusiasm and joy, who got all the gear and all the kids on the boat, baited their hooks, and laughed as the kids and grandkids caught (or did not catch) fish. And he was also that guy on the beach who got everyone making frog or whale sand sculptures. Bryan instilled a love of music and adventure in his children and his grandchildren. In addition to being an avid outdoorsman, he was a gifted artist and mentor for the LiveSTRONG Program at the Saratoga YMCA, which was one of his proudest achievements. Sanctuary Calling Hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 13 at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A Memorial Service at the church will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Community Hospice (www.communityhospice.org) or the Saratoga Springs YMCA LiveSTRONG Program. The page for donations on www.syrmca.org has a campaign drop box menu with a category for Live Strong Live 2022. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. https://www.lastingmemories.com/james-bryan-harrison