Obituary of Roland R. Harrison

Roland R. 'Ron' Harrison Penn Yan: Roland R. 'Ron' Harrison, age 87, currently of Geneva, formerly of Penn Yan, NY died Saturday May 20, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester, N.Y. Calling hours will be from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday June 20, 2023 at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee; with a private memorial service be at the conclusion of calling hours. Entombment with Military Honors will be at the convenience of the family in the New York State Veterans Cemetery at Sampson when the new columbarium is completed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Yates County, P.O. Box 12, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Ron was born August 28, 1935 in Penn Yan, NY, the son of the late Edward F. and Ada (Brink) Harrison. He attended Dundee Central School, until he entered the U.S. Army, serving in Germany. He finished his schooling while in the service, and then continued it in Law Enforcement Training, at the Rochester Police Academy, graduating in 1957 with an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement. Throughout the years, he furthered his qualifications taking courses at Corning Community College, and the Seneca Army Depot in 1982. On Aug. 3, 1974 in Dundee, NY he married the former Pamela J. Chapman. A lifelong area resident Ron was employed by the Penn Yan Police Dept. for 9 years, before accepting the position of Police Chief of Dresden, NY, where he worked for 18 months, transferring to Seneca Army Depot to be a Federal Police Officer until 1984 when he was injured on the job, forcing his early retirement. This changed his life forever, and in 1985, led him to form the Central Finger Lakes Brain Injury Support Group which he continued to chair until 2016. Mr. Harrison was the Town of Milo Constable from 1958-1959; was a member of the former Penn Yan VFW; current member of the Penn Yan American Legion; and he served on the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Yates County starting in 2004 and for many years. He is survived by his wife Pamela J. Harrison of Penn Yan; 2 sons Ronald W. (Heather) Harrison of Ithaca, David Michael (Dorsey) Harrison of Georgetown, ME; 2 step daughters Linda (Mike Denison) Castle, and Christine (Robert) Harper both of Penn Yan; 7 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Mary Ellen Simonsen in 2015. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.