James Rene Harrison, known to his many friends as Jim or Jimmy, passed away peacefully at his home in Annapolis, Maryland on September 30, 2024 with his beloved wife, Betty, by his side. Jim, son of Marie Louise Guillou Harrison and Charles Loring Harrison was born on November 12, 1942. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Harrison and his brother Reverand John Harrison, CSsR. He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife Suzanne Harrison.
Jim spent his entire life in his beloved Annapolis. As a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, he attended St. Mary’s schools followed by Anne Arundel Community College and the University of Maryland majoring in Industrial Engineering. As a Master electrician, Jim took over his father’s business and became principal owner of Harrison and Palmer Electrical Contractors. He joined Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), becoming active in the apprenticeship program where he was showed his unselfish nature, a trait that showed up throughout his life, sharing what he knew to support the growth of others.
Jim’s love of life in Annapolis was directly connected to his love of the water and sailing. It is a fact that when he was a boy, he” borrowed” his mother’s bed sheets and using an oar attempted to turn his rowboat into a sailboat. Later in life he would sail his “real” sailboat, La Fleur, on the Chesapeake Bay to the delight of his friends with whom he shared his love of sailing. One of his dreams came true when he was able to travel to New Zealand to watch the America’s Cup with his wife, Betty, and friends.
Jim’s love for adventure and speed was also evident in his passion for cars and racing. He was a 60-year member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), beginning his racing career at the old Marlboro Raceway. He raced up and down the east coast through the years racing a variety of cars including a Sprite, Chevy Monza, Ford Pinto, Mazda Miata, and running a Porsche in 12-hour endurance races. As a driver, Jim returned to his unselfish ways by serving as an instructor at many driver’s schools coaching prospective drivers towards their racing licenses. Jim also gave back to the club by serving as a member of the Washington DC Board of Directors. After retiring from driving, Jim continued giving back to his sport by volunteering in various specialties, registration, tech, pit/grid, as well as becoming a race steward with a focus on safety. But his love for cars didn’t always have to be about race cars. Jim loved his classic Mini Cooper. Many weekends were spent with their “Mini “friends in the Capital Mini register attending Mini Meets and social events.
Jim and Betty also found lots of time to travel, roaming from New Zealand to Budapest, Daytona to Maine to Alaska, Cancun to Aruba. These travels took them by car, plane and cruise ship, each one leaving special memories that Jim just loved to photograph. Just like his photographs Jim has left wonderful memories behind for us to remember and treasure.
In Lieu of Flowers memorials in Jim’s name to Saint Mary’s Schools Annual Fund – Tuition Angel, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Attn: Membership Department, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403 or www.cbf.org, will be appreciated.
A visitation for James will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 10:30 AM in St John Neumann Church, 620 N Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment Saint Mary Cemetery, 845 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401. A reception will occur immediately after the graveside service in the Funeral Home Catering Room.
