Harry Harrison, “The Morning Mayor” and Radio Hall of Famer, of Norwood, NJ passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 (amazingly at 1:01 PM) at the age of 89. He was born in 1930 at home on the south side of Chicago. As a teenager Harry attended a seminary and intended to be a priest. But his senior year he was bed ridden with Rheumatic Fever for a year. His saving grace was his radio, he knew then that he wanted to become a Disc Jockey. He left the seminary and began his career which spanned six decades. In 1961 he married the love of his life, Patricia, whom he affectionately called “Pretty Patti”. Together they made a home in Norwood where they raised their four children, Patti, Patrick, Michael and Brian Joseph “BJ”. He was tragically predeceased by his wife Patti and sons, BJ and Michael with whom he is now with in heaven. He was a devoted husband and father and would go home after his stint on the radio to be with his family.
Although Harry was a part of radio history, having worked at WMCA, WABC, and WCBS FM, and was known as one of the “Original Good Guys”, he was also a very humble and charitable person, often donating his time to support local police, fire and emergency services as well as Spectrum for Living and the American Cancer Society.
Visitation will be Monday, February 3, 2020 from 3-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.
Harry loved animals, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to your local animal rescue society or to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
“Every brand new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” – Harry Harrison
You were such a wonderful guy. Ill will miss you very much.
I will miss you very much. You were a wonderful guy.
I’m just so glad we got you into the national Radio Hall of Fame while you were still able to be there in all your glory! You were so deserving.
Art: Thank you so much for Harry’s entrance to the hall of fame.In my post you will read about me trying to break into broadcasting.I built a non transmitting mock up studio with mic reverb effect like CBS-FM. Harry, and Ron Lundy inspired me.I looked up to these guys. Harry : I hope you, and Ron see these posts from heaven.I owe you guys big time.Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to the family for your loss.
Harry was a long time customer of mine at the old tappan a@p and foodtown. He was always so friendly and kind he will be missed.
I loved Harry, grew up with wabc and wmca Goodguy, very sweet on and off radio. He was amazing, woke me up mornings on Wcbsfm the morning mayor. I am so pleased to have met him
And to support him in his radio days. RIP Harry, condolences to his daughter and son, and all in radio business and his fans.
Your dad was One of my most favorite ShopRite customers ever. I remember that he and you kids would be on my checkout line by 8am every Saturday morning like clockwork!
My commute into the Bronx everyday was easier listening to him. I loved whenever he would give us secret shoutouts on the air that only we would understand. My prayers for him and you!
I never met you in person, but I felt like I knew you. I grew up listening to you on the radio and I enjoyed listening to you and all the original staff at ABC and CBS! I was devastated when they took CBS off the air and even though they brought it back. It would never be the same!!!! God Bless You Dearly Mr. Harrison!!!! Thank You!!!!!
to the harrison family:
my condolences to all the family & to all the friends who knew our morning mayor. because thats who he was..
when i was a young boy, my father would turn the radio on. music radio 77 wabc. it was this station was the birth of harry harrison for me, to listen to him.. than came 101.1 wcbs fm.. i would listen to him every week day. im happy to say, 18 years ago, i met harry harrison on madison ave.. i was delivering packages to my book company. i asked for his autograph.. he said to me, i will mail to your home,while your having your cup of coffee. thankyou Mr. Harrison , for putting a smile on all our faces, all these years… i will truly miss you very much..
RIP Harry. When you were part of the WMCA “good guys “ my mom was a “Queen for a Day” in the 1960’s -after we nominated her and a priest friend heard her name and let her know to call in. After talking to you she was so impressed by your gentlemanly approach. She decided it was ok for us to listen to your station. If my mom was still with us and reading your obituary she would be touched to know all about your life. In the pre-social media days we didn’t know much about those who were in public life. You were a true “Good Guy” and made s good impression on our young lives.
May You Always … rest in peace, Harry. You will be missed. Condolences to the family.
Harry was the epitome of what all men should be: a gentleman, an entertainer, a family man, smart, witty, thoughtful, just a truly decent human being. Our world is grayer by his passing. Rest in peace Harry and thank you for the countless hours you brought joy to your listeners.
Sincere condolences to Patti, Patrick and the rest of the family.
On the bus to school, waiting in the snow drifts I had my am radio… Static coming from my pants pockets. The beautiful voice of Harry Harrison on those cold 1970s mornings.
He made everything ok….
Thanks morning mayor
Peace
Never forget your personal kindness to me and all the joy you provided as a Good Guy
I grew up with you on the radio. You mentioned our birthdays and the arrival of each of our three children. Unexpectedly, an envelope full of souvenirs and a personally inscribed photo always followed these announcements. They’re a treasure we still have. We’ve missed you since the day you left the radio and are heartbroken that you have left us. Heaven surely has the best radio station, a complete Rock and Roll Heaven. God Bless you Harry and thank you.
Dearest Harry.,
Thank you for making a hard childhood so much better .God Bless your soul ,and I’m praying for you and your family .The world list a beautiful soul .Thank you for your never ending happiness ,and I always Unwrapped my days like a precious gift because they are a gift .God bless you ..
I grew up listening to WABC and then WCBS-FM and always loved his voice and humor. I remember his banter with Mr. G.
He will always be remembered by those who loved him and knew him through the radio. May he rest in peace.
Listened to you every morning! May you RIP! My condolences to your friends and family!
Thank you for all those early mornings you made easier to get up for, Harry. You provided the soundtrack to the mornings of my youth and I’m so glad I got to meet you once at WABC. Rest well my friend.
Dear Harrison Family, I’m deeply sorry & heartbroken over the loss of your Dad Harry. I have so many memories of growing up with him since 1968 when he went to WABC & later on WCBS-FM. I was only 8 back when I started listening to him & never stopped. He will always be a part of the millions of lives like mine who grew up with him. May he always live on in all our hearts. Thank you for sharing him with all of us for decades. God bless you all & may your Dad RIP . Sincerely, Joey DeLucia,
Such a Gentle Giant, our Harry Harrison….God Bless you as you reunite with Pretty Patti and BJ & MichaelJ….God Bless Patti and Patrick and all the Family & Fans who will Always Remember our Morning Mayor…..
Harry I will
Very much miss you thank you for being there on the Radio waking me up from school and my jobs I had while you were on the Radio
Our thoughts & prayers go out to the Harrison family! A guy that was great, always put others first & was genuine on the air as he was off the air! To say you’ll be missed would be a huge understatement. One of your many listeners from the early 70’s to WCBS FM.
Sincerely,
Patrick & Paula Guice
Toms River, NJ.
Part of my childhood growing up and foward,you will be missed,rest well Harry
Having grown up with Harry I can truly attest to how wonderful a man Harry was. Though I never had the fortune to meet him personally, I have spoken to him on the radio. His voice and gentle attitude always made my day special. I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace.
He was part of my childhood, adolescence. I listened to him all the time on WMCA, he was my favorite Good Guy (I still have my sweatshirt). May he Rest In Peace and may his family and dear friends friend comfort and peace in all their wonderful memories.
RIP, Harry. Forever a Good Guy.
Grew up with the Morning Mayor. Rest in peace Mr. Harrison
Peace, my friend. Thanks for making hellish high school years tolerable.
There will never be anyone like you on the radio ever again. You will be missed. I am lucky enough to have an autographed picture that I have treasured after all these years.
As I missed you when you retired from WCBS, I will miss hearing about you through your Facebook page. You had a warm, personable personality, with a rich voice, and a huge heart. My condolences to Patti, Patrick and the rest of the Harrison family. I would be honored if I could attend your wake and Funeral but, it’s not possible. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you to the Morning Mayor Harry Harrison for waking me up all those years. May you always R.I.P.
Patty and Patrick.
Thinking of you during this time. We’ve made a donation on behalf of your wonderful Dad to a local animal shelter in Atlanta where Jeff lives,
Love,
The Golds.
Estelle, Flynn, Keith, Ken, and Jeff
Patti: Dad was a huge influence to me in my younger years as far as radio broadcasting. I never made to that big mic at the console.Ellis Feaster has done a wonderful job along with Art Vuolo bringing out the best of your dad. He is up there with mom, and your brothers.He has joined the big party with Ron Lundy, Dan Ingram etc.
Patti, I am so sorry for your loss. Like your Dad when I was sick as a kid the radio became my best friend. When Harry did the Birthday book and we missed hearing my Birthday announcement after a hospital stay, Harry called personally and told 12 year old me he would redo my announcement, although he had never done a before or since. I will keep you and Harry and the rest of your family in my prayers and include you in my Rosary intentions. My religious education class will also include you all in our prayers. Dawn Luhrs
I am 65. Harry. You are so much apart of my life. The sound of your voice in my car. Brought me to many places. I also have a Patti. And at the young ages of 12 abs 13 You helped us enjoy the best tones of our life. RIP. My. Friend. Joe and Patti. Corradino
We are sorry for your loss. We know how loved and important your dad was to you and because of all that love and devotion he is now at peace because he can be with his beloved Patti and be with both Michael and BJ. As long as you have love in your hearts no one is far away and the memories will remain with you until you and hopefully bring you comfort until you see each other again.
Hello Patrick,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. I always enjoyed listening to him on the radio.
I remember fondly the kindness that you always showed our son David at Spectrum for Living. You were, and I’m sure still are, a very warm and caring person.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tom and Lucy Ott
God Bless the Harrisons in this time of grief. May you find comfort and peace in the arms of the Lord. Harry was a gift to everyone who had the joy of hearing his voice. He will be missed but, he will never be forgotten. Rest easy Mayor.
Listening to Harry Harrison was such a pleasure! Harry always started our day with a smile.
Our sincere sympathy to your family.
Rest in Peace Harry Harrison. I never met you, but when my mother passed away 1992 you sent me a sympathy card. I wll never forget you. Patti and Patrick Harrison my condolences to you and may God bless you always.
I remember you well on the air at both WMCA and WABC. New York City radio was a great part of my younger years, and inspired me to pursue the profession. The class act, that many broadcasters of your caliber truly were, has been lost in recent decades. Rest eternal grant him O Lord, and nay light perpetual shine upon him.
Dear Harry, I hope you will still be playing “The chairman of the board ” aka Frank Sinatra. So glad to have seen you last year in Emerson Richard and you shared memories. Hope Richard and you can share again. Love to Patti and Patrick. XOXO
Thank you.
Thank you Harry for just being you.
May you rest in Peace