John C. Harrison, Age 74 of LaGrange Park, passed away on March 25, 2021 after 17 years with ALS disease. He was preceded in death by his loving parents Armitt Harrison and Daisy Harrison, nee Hope. Loving husband of 51 years to Arlene Harrison, nee Tonetti, loving father of sons Matthew and Mark; dear brother of Darlene Nelson and Dennis (Linda) Harrison; beloved brother in law to Debra Tonetti, Linda Harrison and Linda (Richard Kos) Tonetti-Kos; beloved uncle to Stacy (Brett) Hoopes and Greg (Suzanne) Harrison.
John retired from Proviso West High School in 2001 after teaching science for 35 years. He enjoyed flying power Cessna planes and flew his own glider plane. He was a member of Chicago Glider Club near Minooka. John was also interested in astronomy and built two reflecting and refracting telescopes. He took classes at the Chicago Planetarium where he learned how to grind the mirrors and lens for the telescopes.
A memorial gathering and celebration of John’s life will be on Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 2 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.
Current Covid Regulations allow for a maximum of 50 people in the funeral home at a time. Face coverings are required, the lounge facilities are closed, outside food or beverages are not allowed at this time. All are asked to pay their respects/condolences to the Harrison Family, please be cognitive of others waiting to do the same.
Memorials appreciated to Les Turner ALS Foundation, 5550 W. Touhy Avenue, Suite 302, Skokie, IL 60077-3254 or ALS Foundation for Life, PO Box 96, Natick, MA 01760
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the link below and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o John Harrison Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
Print Obituary & Condolences
ALTHOUGH I AM AN EAST TEACHER, I DID HAVE CONTACT WITH HIM AND FOUND HIM TO BE A GREAT PERSON WHO WAS ALWAYS FRIENDLY AND KIND. ALL OF YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
My thoughts, prayers and memories are with you.
Arlene,
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Ted and Judy
John was a good man, who was kind to all. He was loved by his students and his coworkers. He had a beautiful soft voice, and he was always smiling. I pray that God comforts your family, and has mercy on your soul. Someday we’ll meet again in the big classroom in the sky.
I have such fond memories of John that continue to this day. That motorcycle trip we took to Alaska in the summer of 1969 was a rite of passage for both of us, I think. He went on to marry you and launch all those wonderful accomplishments, family, career, and live his life. I went on to Honduras, career, family, and a bilingual lifestyle. Xiomara and I send you our love, blessings and condolences. In spite of time and distance, you and John are always remembered in our hearts.
May you RIP Mr. Harrison as you were my favorite Science Teacher in PWHS in my Freshman Year in 1974.God bless you & your family.