Obituary of John C. Harrison

John C. "Jack" Harrison, age 67 of Clinton, NJ died Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ following complications from a heart attack. Mr. Harrison was born December 12, 1940 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of the late Charles J. and the late Lois (nee Easterbrook) Harrison. Jack was one of the Infants and Moms sent up into the mountain caves to be protected from the possible enemy infantry during the Pearl Harbor Attack. However, Jack's Mother was reluctant to believe that they were actually under attack until she saw the military digging foxholes in the local golf course. He resided in Clinton, NJ for the past 33 years and previous to that, he lived in College Park, Maryland. Currently Jack owned & operated AAA Guaranteed On-Time Limousine in Clinton, NJ. In addition he founded and operated the former Cactus Jacks Beef n Chicken Ranch Restaurant in Hackettstown, NJ. His family also participated in both ventures. Mr. Harrison's optimistic approached to life was a product of his early years as the child of a military family, with its many changes and adjustments, and the strong Christian faith passed on to him by his parents (now deceased), Charles and Lois Harrison, both from military families as well. Jack served in the United States Coast Guard Reserves. His deep sense of integrity led him out of a large hotel/restaurant empire, into Clinton and owning his own restaurant, Cactus Jacks, in Hackettstown. During those years, the whole family worked in the business. Jack was able to plant the seeds of a similar integrity in the young people in his employ. Many have carried his attitudes of hard work, personal responsibility, and Faith through their lives to share with others. More recently, he created and has maintained (also with steady family involvement) AAA Guaranteed On-Time Limousine Service in Clinton. The clients of that business have enjoyed over the years a quality of service that could be provided only by a company led by someone who truly respects its clients and enjoys serving them well. The Harrisons have for 33 years been active members of Clinton United Methodist Church, where Jack and Sandy have been faithful members of the choir. His interest in civic activities and fondness for the Town of Clinton led to his elections to the Clinton Town Council where he was beginning a full three-year term. During a previous term he encouraged municipalities and the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce to participate in the Shared Services Program which ultimately became cost saving reality. He also served the Town as Fire Commissioner and by sitting on the Board of Adjustment for over 20 years. Jacks passions were his grandchildren, classic Cadillac cars, the New York Yankees, and saying, "It's a choice, you know", when someone told him to have a nice day. Jack is survived by: his High school sweetheart & beloved Wife of 45 years: Sandy (nee Helvenston), his Daughter, Lois Parris of Mooresville, NC and his Sons; John C. Harrison Jr. & Matthew Harrison both of Harmony Twp., NJ. Additional survivors include, his Sisters, Jeanne Smith of Washington, DC & Margaret Harrison of San Antonio, TX, his Brothers, William Harrison of Greenbelt, Maryland & David Harrison of Gaithersburg, Maryland and his cherished Grandchildren: Rowan, Sage, Bevan, Tucker and Holly. There will be a Celebration of Jack's Life on Sunday, March 2nd at 2:00 pm at The Clinton United Methodist Church, 12 Halstead St., Clinton, NJ #908-735-7025 Memorials may be made to: the Clinton Fire Department, PO Box 5062, Clinton, NJ 08809 or the Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad, PO Box 5265, Clinton, NJ 08809 or the Clinton United Methodist Church, c/o the Music & Sound Department, PO Box 5331, Clinton, NJ 08809.