Sandy Harrison

Sandy Harrison, a former resident of Bellport, died Sept. 21, 2012, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., from complications from cancer. He was 59 years old and fought a long, tough battle. A resident of Scottsdale, Ariz., for the past 12 years, where he was a communicant of St. Bernard of Clairvaux R.C. Church, he previously resided in Orange County, Calif.

He was born at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson on Jan. 20, 1953, to Marian (Minicozzi) and Frank Harrison and raised in Bellport. He attended Bellport High School and worked in the aerospace industry for Rockwell International and The Boeing Company for some 20 years as an electroplater.

His greatest passions were cooking, entertaining and gardening. He regaled all with stories of “foil cooking” as a Boy Scout and was inspired by local Bellport chefs he watched as a young boy. Not only known as a natural cook with great skill, he took great pride in entertaining his family and friends. He was also an avid gardener and was pursuing his Master Gardener certification. Sandy also loved animals and volunteered at Foothills Animal Rescue.

Sandy made friends wherever he went. Phrases that capture Sandy’s spirit: “Where are we going to lunch?” and “I’ll start Monday.”

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (née Grodski) Harrison, whom he married 23 years ago in Riverhead, and a daughter, Taylor Harrison, both of Scottsdale, Ariz.; his mother, Marian Harrison of Bellport; a sister-in-law, Bridget Harrison (the late Kenneth Harrison) of New Jersey; brothers Lee (Beth) Harrison and Donald Harrison all of Bellport; a sister, Elizabeth “Betsi” (Anthony) Lenhard of Medford; a brother- and sister-in-law, Stan and Alexis Grodski of New Suffolk; 11 nieces and nephews; and numerous close friends in Bellport and Arizona. He was predeceased by his father, Frank Harrison.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, 13805 Main Road, Mattituck, NY 11952. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck (opposite the funeral home) by Father George Michell with assistance from the Ministry of Consolation. Interment will follow at Cutchogue Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.org/development or Foothills Animal Rescue at http://foothillsanimal.org/get-involved/donate-2/.

This is a paid notice.