Obituaries

HARRISON, Alfred "Al"

With sad hearts, our family announces the passing of our Dad and Papa, Al Harrison. Born on May 25, 1936, in Merritt, B.C., Al grew up in Kelowna and after a brief time in the Canadian Air Force moved to Alberta for work. This is where he met the love of his life Delores in Camrose, where they were married in 1959. Al is survived by his son Doug (Lori) and daughter-in-law Lorrie (Tom), grandchildren Nikki (Warren), Tricia, Billy, Owen and Cole, and great-grandchildren Wilder, Jordan, Layla, Cooper and Cassidy. Al was predeceased by his son Geoff in 1986, his wife Delores in 2017, and his son Tom in 2020.

Al’s career spanned several years in County and Regional government, with approximately 30 of those years as an administrator with the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, a position he held until his retirement. Al studied Municipal Government Administration at the University of Alberta extension branch, as well as related courses at the University of Victoria and the Banff School of Management. Al was proud of his years working for the Regional District and his years of involvement in the Okanagan community. He cherished the friendships he made during his career, and they remained strong until his passing.

Al loved to camp and fish but was most of all a family man. He was a cheerleader and an unwavering supporter of his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Even in his last days, he reminded his grandsons that, “family is everything”. He and Delores loved to travel in their RV, with trips taking them to many places throughout Canada and the U.S. as well as other trips to New Zealand, the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Cook Islands.

Our family would like to thank the caring and hardworking staff and physicians of Units ICU-B, 5B and Rehab at KGH for the care and attention they gave Al during his stay, we won’t forget you.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at First United Church. While respecting the Provincial Health Officer’s mandate, the service will be limited in numbers and is by invitation only, proof of vaccination is required. To watch the Livestream of the Memorial Services on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021, at 1:00 PM (PDT), please visit ZOOM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89463753573?pwd=ZXZzNXV2ZmZMUTZXR2dFWDQ2eFFHQT09 (or click direct link below)

Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, heartandstroke.ca of British Columbia.

To view Zoom or send the family condolences, please visit www.springfieldfuneralhome.com (click direct link below)

Link: www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/harrison-alfred-al

Condolence Messages

Nov 17, 2021
I was so very sorry to hear of your loss. I was lucky to have met both your mom and dad and witnessed their devoted relationship to one another! They made a lasting impression on me. I have been thinking of you all.

Nicole Desjarlais
Nov 15, 2021
Sorry to hear of your loss, cherish the memories, Tony and Marlyn Ryder
Nov 12, 2021
Dear Doug, Lori, Owen and Cole,

So saddened your loss..

Thinking of you all and sending love and prayers.

Lori and Larry Oishi
Nov 11, 2021
Doug and Lori, our condolences go to you both for the loss of your father. It has been many years in passing but my thoughts have always been of your family: Tom, Geoff and your mother.

Love

Jodie Phillipoff and family.
Nov 03, 2021
Dear Doug, Lori, Lorrie and all of the grandchildren/great grandchildren,

Uncle Al was an incredible human being who beautifully exemplified what it is to be a "family man". We will miss him and want you all to know that we are sending you so much love and our deepest heartfelt sympathies as you grieve this huge loss of our special Uncle.

John, Brenda, Madina and Marshall

xoxox
Nov 03, 2021
My sincere condolences to the Harrison family. I had the pleasure of working for Al in the Admin Dept at the RDCO. He was a wonderful kind & caring man. I had the utmost respect for Al. My thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.

Nancy McCullough
Nov 01, 2021
Doug, Lori, Owen and Cole, my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. I didn’t know Al well but I loved seeing him (and his late wife) at all of Owen and Coles school activities and soccer games! Yes, family is everything.

Pam Nicholas
Oct 30, 2021
My condolences to the family. My Mom Mollie Harris worked with Al. He treated her so well and she loved working for Regional District with Al.

Marilyn Harris / Guimond
Oct 29, 2021
Deepest sympathies to the Harrison family. I was fortunate to be hired by Al to the Regional District administration department in 1990. Although new to the Okanagan but Al always made me feel that I belonged and was valued. In fact we were a happy family of staff under Al's leadership. Lots of good times were had socially with the RDCO staff.

It is hard to say goodbye to such a good man. At last, Al, you are united with Delores and other loved ones gone before. Rest in Peace!

Sincerely,

Lyla Lindsay
Oct 28, 2021
Doug, Lori, Owen and Cole:

Our sincere sympathy to you all. We have fond memories of your parents and grandparents.

Donna and John Birch
Oct 28, 2021
Doug and Lori, and families, my sincere thoyghts are with you all. Valerie and Hedley Ferris.
Oct 27, 2021
So sorry for your loss Doug,Lori and family.Heart felt condolence to you all our prayers are with you Larry&Wendy Simla
Oct 27, 2021
Al was always a gentleman, and in the process, generous and unflappable. It was my great privilege to work with him at the Regional District and to recognize that so many of the wonderful parks we have in this area exist because of Al's determination to leave a legacy, and the respect those he worked with had for him. Al carried his great sadness quietly, with dignity and love. It was my honour to know, to learn from, and to work with him. Sharron Simpson
Oct 26, 2021
Doug and all the Harrison Family,

Our deepest condolences for your loss. Our family was very close to the Harrison family growing up in Rutland. We played soccer with the Harrison boys and Delores and Al cheered us on for many years. Both Al and Delores were very kind and I always remember him as a great father and family man. He will be missed.

The Kruiper Family
Oct 26, 2021
To Doug,Lori and family

So sorry to hear the sad news.

Our heartfelt condolences to you all.

Gloria & Gord Agar
Oct 26, 2021
Doug,Lori and Al’s Loved Ones

We were so sorry to hear of Al’s passing and send our deepest condolences to each of you. We know you will keep special memories of him as we do.

Al was a dear friend for many years and we will miss him. Our last visit was in Victoria when he came to see us. We talked and laughed of happenings in days gone by and spoke of plans for future travel and time spent with family on fishing trips…that was a special time for him.

Sincerely

Stu and Noreen Fleming
Oct 26, 2021
Dear Harrison family. We offer our sincerest condolences to you all with the loss of your father/grandfather. We remember him being such a lovely man. I feel blessed that I was able to spend time with him during his final days.

Shelley Parks
Oct 26, 2021
Al was one of the best. He was my boss for many years and there was never a better boss in the world. He will be sorely missed by one and all. My sincere condolences to the Harrison family. May you dad rest in peace. Phyllis Warren
Oct 26, 2021
Dear Doug and Lori, we were so sorry to hear of the loss of your father and father in law. The stories you shared about camping and fishing were heart warming. Our hearts are with you.

Linda and Bill Kennedy
Oct 25, 2021
Dear cousin and family. I will always miss my uncle. He was always like a brother to me from when he used to pick me up in Rutland from the train when my mother came to visit. So many happy. Camping memories. Rip. Will always miss you

Doreen Jensen
Oct 25, 2021
We will forever miss our Uncle Al. I loved discussing politics, economies, and many other things with him. He will always be Uncle Alf to me and he was a very special person in my life. Hugs to you all.

Love Twyla-Lea
Oct 25, 2021
Doug and family, very sorry to hear of your loss. Remember your Dad on the sidelines of the soccer pitch when our kids were playing. Very kind man, like his kid Doug and the Harrison family. Warmth is in the memories.

The Bates family
Oct 25, 2021
Doug , Lori and family. We are so sad to hear of Al’s passing. He was always so kind to the girls and I , such a gentle sweet person. Al along with Delores were such generous and kind people always time for a visit and tea, often picking my girls up from kindergarten. He will be missed by so many.

Lisa Montpetit
Oct 24, 2021
Dear Doug and Family,

We were neighbours of your Mom and Dad when they lived on Claxton Court. It was a close-knit neighbourhood and we shared many gatherings as a group along with your parents. Our hearts go out to all of you and we considered our years as neighbours with your parents a privilege.

They loved nothing better than to share their stories of the love and pride they had in their children and grandchildren. Your father lived with honour and love for your mother, he stood by her side as she journeyed through to her final years after suffering from a stroke and was dedicated to finding aid that could improve her quality of life - we lost a man of honour that from our small community to the greater Kelowna, meant and gave so much. We are thinking of you.

Don and Gail Harrison
Oct 24, 2021
Al, you will be missed . The impact that you had on my life was immeasurable and I thank you for this . Your impact on the Central was fantastic , from fire departments, Fintry Park , Gellately Nut Farm, 9-1-1 arenas, water systems and many other functions.

I get in some situations and I think to myself what would AL do . You were always respectful of people .Al made the Central Okanagan a better place to live

Our thoughts and prayers are with you

Domenic and LIna Rampone
Oct 24, 2021
Doug and all Harrison family members.

This has been a very tough 2020 for you and the family. We stood with your Mom & Dad in support in '86 with Geoff, the tough time when your Mom suffered her stroke, the years that your Dad would leave our lunches to visit your Mom, her passing, the little issues of his heart, then Tom and now Al. We would get constant updates on the happenings, the fishing trips the camping adventures and of course our take on the political scene's. I will miss his take on current events and remember our friendship of some 40 years. Keep your chin up and memories live forever.

David Langton
Oct 24, 2021
Doug, Lori, Cole and Owen, So sad to hear of your father and grandfather’s passing. Thinking of you during this very sad time. The Samaddar Family
Oct 24, 2021
To Al's family,

Al was a good friend and fellow Administrator who was highly respected in local government. We will miss him at our annual Christmas lunches but we will not forget him! Our deepest sympathies!

Ron and Leona Born
Oct 24, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to the Harrison family. Al was a great man. I'm going to miss my good friend and lunch partner.

Al Horning
Oct 24, 2021
We loved having Al and Delores for neighbours ... so kind and friendly and always a pleasure to talk with. We are so sorry for your family's loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

The Schell family
Oct 24, 2021
Doug, Lori and family: We are so sad that Al has left us. He was a tremendously good man and so appreciated by all who knew him. Our friendship with Al started 70 years ago through our connections with Rutland school and church. That wonderful friendship has been tremendously valued over all these years !

Our deepest condolences to the family . Gerald and Kay Geen
Oct 24, 2021
Doug and family, Adding my sincere condolences. Al was a very devoted father and husband. I was friends with Delores and knew the family from the medical clinic. Blessings Mona Sauer
Oct 24, 2021
Doug, Lori and family. So sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. My thoughts are with you. Kathy Fyall
Oct 23, 2021
Al Harrison was indeed a very remarkable administrator for the Central Okanagan Regional District. He was often sought after by senior staff in Victoria. His calmness brought together the majority of regions within the Kelowna area to become part of Kelowna. His management skills caused and influenced the creation of the Cancer Clinic , the MRI and the expansion of the Hospital. His marvelous rapport with the public was exemplary and influenced the creation of numerous parks.

He will be missed greatly. Sincere Condolences. Eain Lamont.
Oct 23, 2021
Al was a kind and caring man. He was a wonderful administrator and a friend to everyone he worked with. Deepest condolences to his family.

Robert Hobson
Oct 23, 2021
To all Al's family sorry to hear this sad news. My Condolences on the loss of a great guy

and a hard year for you all.

Dixie
Oct 23, 2021
Doug and Family, so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Take joy in your memories. My sympathies to you and all your Family.

Don Knight
Oct 23, 2021
Doug and family, sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I have great memories of your parents, you and your brothers growing up across the street from my parents, who were good friends of your family. I stayed in touch with your dad over the years, being our paths crossed with your dad's work at the RCDO and mine at the City of Kelowna. I even stayed in contact with him after retirement. You should be very proud of his accomplishments and legacy he left with his development of the RDCO and the Okanagan community. Condolences.

Ron Ready
Oct 23, 2021
To Al’s Family:

Someone as special as Al can never be forgotten. Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow. Al was an extraordinary good guy and friend. With heavy hearts we sympathize with you and offer our sincerest condolences.

Darryl & Shary Ruff
Oct 23, 2021
My deepest condolences to the Harrison family

Al was a great guy and will be sadly missed

Darren McClelland