Obituary for Francis X. "Rocky" Harrison Jr.
Francis Xavier “Rocky” Harrison Jr., 64, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 19, 2023 after a long, hard fought battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Jeanne M. (Peters) Harrison with whom he shared 39 years of marriage.
He was born in Fort Knox, KY on October 10, 1958, and was a son of the late Francis Xavier Sr. and Dorothy M. (Syple) Harrison.
As a young child in typical military fashion, Rocky’s family moved from military base to military base all over the United States and even Germany before settling in Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 1968. Rocky and his father shared a love of boxing that ultimately led him to fighting in the Silver Mittens and Golden Gloves. He also excelled at multiple sports during his time in high school. Upon graduating from Chelmsford High School in 1976 Rocky joined the United States Army, being stationed in West Berlin as a military police officer before the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was incredibly proud to serve his country. Once completing his military service Rocky returned to the states and married his wife Jeanne in 1983. He had a lengthy career and was a highly regarded construction superintendent building gunite pools throughout the entirety of New England, including Steven Tyler’s which he never hesitated to mention. He enjoyed Wednesday night sauce and meatballs, watching the Patriots, causing a ruckus at his beloved campground, and most importantly, spending quality time with friends and family. Rocky was smart, witty, charismatic, fiercely loyal, and completely incapable of doing anything quietly. He was one of a kind and had a heart of gold. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Rocky is survived by his beloved wife and best friend Jeanne M. Harrison and his favorite son Trevor Harrison who were both his entire world. Rocky was blessed with a large family, leaving 4 siblings, MaryAnn Solis and Brian McGettrick of Littleton, MA, Ellen Finn and her husband Dr. R. Thomas, Jr., of Laconia, NH, Colleen Parrish and her husband Branch of Woods Hole, MA, and Kevin Harrison of Woods Hole, MA, and 15 nieces and nephews.
In addition to his large loving family, Rocky was predeceased by an infant sister Dorothy M. Harrison, a sister Sandra McCauley, a brother William P. Burnes, and brother Dennis P. Harrison. He was also predeceased by his loving parents Lt. Col. Francis X. Harrison, Sr. and Dorothy M. (Syple) Harrison.
Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 4 – 7 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 9:00 am at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford. KINDLY GATHER AT THE CHURCH. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.
He was born in Fort Knox, KY on October 10, 1958, and was a son of the late Francis Xavier Sr. and Dorothy M. (Syple) Harrison.
As a young child in typical military fashion, Rocky’s family moved from military base to military base all over the United States and even Germany before settling in Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 1968. Rocky and his father shared a love of boxing that ultimately led him to fighting in the Silver Mittens and Golden Gloves. He also excelled at multiple sports during his time in high school. Upon graduating from Chelmsford High School in 1976 Rocky joined the United States Army, being stationed in West Berlin as a military police officer before the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was incredibly proud to serve his country. Once completing his military service Rocky returned to the states and married his wife Jeanne in 1983. He had a lengthy career and was a highly regarded construction superintendent building gunite pools throughout the entirety of New England, including Steven Tyler’s which he never hesitated to mention. He enjoyed Wednesday night sauce and meatballs, watching the Patriots, causing a ruckus at his beloved campground, and most importantly, spending quality time with friends and family. Rocky was smart, witty, charismatic, fiercely loyal, and completely incapable of doing anything quietly. He was one of a kind and had a heart of gold. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Rocky is survived by his beloved wife and best friend Jeanne M. Harrison and his favorite son Trevor Harrison who were both his entire world. Rocky was blessed with a large family, leaving 4 siblings, MaryAnn Solis and Brian McGettrick of Littleton, MA, Ellen Finn and her husband Dr. R. Thomas, Jr., of Laconia, NH, Colleen Parrish and her husband Branch of Woods Hole, MA, and Kevin Harrison of Woods Hole, MA, and 15 nieces and nephews.
In addition to his large loving family, Rocky was predeceased by an infant sister Dorothy M. Harrison, a sister Sandra McCauley, a brother William P. Burnes, and brother Dennis P. Harrison. He was also predeceased by his loving parents Lt. Col. Francis X. Harrison, Sr. and Dorothy M. (Syple) Harrison.
Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 4 – 7 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 9:00 am at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford. KINDLY GATHER AT THE CHURCH. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.