John R. Harrison, Jr. “Pug”, 89, of Silver Bay died peacefully surrounded by family on March 21, 2025.
John was born in Crosby on May 9, 1935. He graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1953 and married his high school sweetheart Carol “Kola” Butorac in 1954.
John enlisted in the Army and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 1961. He was a police officer in Cros-by and then returned to school to become a machinist. He started his career at Reserve Mining in Silver Bay where he and Carol raised their family. In 1986 they relocated to Hastings when he was hired by North-west Airlines. John retired in 2000 and he and Carol moved back to Silver Bay.
He enjoyed golfing in the summer and hunting and fishing with his sons. John would always return to Crosby to reconnect with old friends at annual class reunions. He also enjoyed trips to Texas during the winter to visit family.
John is survived by his wife Carol, sister Janet, sons Tony (JoAnn), Joe (Denise) and Peter (Karin), Eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents Edna (Thompson) and John R. Harrison, Sr. and sister Jacquelyn “Jackie” Kisskeys. John will be dearly missed. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a true gentleman and will be remembered for his kindness, caring heart and deep generosity.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
