Richard ‘Dick’ Henry Harrison

He was born on Oct. 4, 1952 in Crystal Falls, the son of the late Thomas and Gloria (Wiggins) Harrison. Dick graduated from Crystal Falls High School in 1970 and continued his education at Northern Michigan University with a bachelor of science and teaching certification.

It was at Northern where he meet the love of his life, Cecilia. Dick and Cecilia (Skubick) were married on June 4, 1977, in Auburn Heights, Mich.

Dick began working as a forestry ranger for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and worked at many of the state parks across the U.P.: Bewabic State Park in Crystal Falls, the Porcupine Mountains and Tahquamenon Falls.

In 1983, the family moved to Escanaba and Dick became a fisheries technician, where he would work for 38 years before retiring in 2014. He had a successful career, winning many awards, including the Big Fin award for promoting fishing and the outdoors. He loved his job, spending time outdoors and talking with fishermen.

An avid outdoorsman, Dick loved hunting, fishing, and being in the outdoors. Deer camp at Camp Craigsmere was a special annual event going back to his childhood. And spending summers at the family cottage on Fortune Lake was always a favorite.

Dick’s family came first and he was always very involved in all his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. He was very involved in Scouting programs for over 20 years. He traveled around as a Civil War re-enactor and attended all the sporting events of his kids and grandkids he could.

During retirement years, Dick enjoyed traveling with his beloved wife, Cecilia. She was the love and joy of his family. They spent several years wintering in New Mexico, where they would visit the national parks to see the elk and glaciers.

Dick was active in the Men’s Acts Group, and enjoyed substitute teaching. He and Cecilia were also adopted into the Zuni Native American tribe, where they spent cherished time with the friends Ken and Selina Seowtewa. During the summers they worked with the Skerbeck carnival, traveling across the Midwest and having many adventures with their friends.

Dick was a deeply religious man and very active at St. Anne’s church, acting in many roles, from Eucharistic minister to parish picnic planning to men’s faith groups. His faith was very important to him.

Survivors include his wife, Cecilia of Escanaba; five sons, Ben (Amanda) Harrison of Burnsville, Minn., Paul (Monica) Harrison of Deerfield, Wis., Matthew (Kathy) Harrison of Rapid River, Mich., Jim Harrison (Stephanie) of Escanaba, and Joe (Theresa) Harrison of Minocqua, Wis.; grandchildren Ethan, Jack, Nicklas, Will, Clark, Teddy, Dennis, Emma, Lydia, Desmond, and Bella Jeanne; siblings Dr. James Harrison, John Harrison, Sally Peterson, and Bob Harrison; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at St. Anne’s Church, 817 S. Lincoln Road, Escanaba. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Fran DeGroot and the Rev. Robb Jurkovich concelebrating. At the conclusion of the Mass, a meal will be served in the hall.

Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Pregnancy Services in Delta County, 2501 First Ave. N., Escanaba.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

Arrangements are in the care of the Crawford Funeral Homes.