Millard Dow Harrison, of Lincolnville, died at his home on Oct. 6 after a long illness. He was born on July 7, 1933, in Castine, the son of Capt. Sydney Carroll Harrison and Janet (Parker Dow) Harrison. He was the youngest of seven siblings, all of whom predeceased him: Oliver “Bud” Willard Harrison, Elinor May Harrison Brown, Jean Evelyn Harrison Elsemore, Frank Parker Harrison, Sydney Gardner Harrison, and Janet “Johnny” Carroll Harrison Crosson.
A graduate of Bucksport High School, Millard attended the University of Maine in Orono in his freshman and sophomore years, then enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Korea. After completing his military service, Harrison returned to the university to complete his undergraduate degree and began his professional career on the faculty of Franklin High School in Franklin, Mass., as chair of the history and government department there.
After four years, during which time he pursued his master’s degree in education at colleges in the Boston area including Brown and Harvard, he began his Vermont years of educational leadership. He accepted a position in Hyde Park, Vt. as principal of the elementary school. After three years, he and his family moved to Barton, Vt. where he was instrumental in developing a high school building concept for a four-town school district. After three years, he then accepted an administrative position in the White River Junction as assistant superintendent of schools and completed 10 years of service in Vermont public schools.
When the opportunity came to return to Maine, Harrison and his family moved to Readfield where he helped to conceptualize and build a new community school for Readfield, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, and Wayne. He served as superintendent of schools for the four-town school district, and also served as superintendent for Rome schools. He has the distinction of having the roadway to the regional school he helped create named Millard Harrison Drive. The American Association of School Administrators and The American Institute of Architects selected the Maranacook Community School in Readfield for display at their 1979 Exhibition of School Architecture, citing Millard Harrison, Superintendent, who spear-headed the project. In addition, Millard served as chair on the Legislative Committee of the Maine Superintendents Association for six years.
His final administrative position was serving as superintendent of schools in the Great Salt Bay School district in Damariscotta and surrounding communities for eight years. In his retirement, he worked for several years as an education consultant.
Gregarious and fun-loving, Millard thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of his family, staff, students, parents, friends, and family. He was known for his broad smile and penchant for story-telling.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Sleight Harrison; son, Capt. William Sydney Harrison and wife Jill Taylor Harrison of South Bristol; daughter, Jill Hume Harrison, Ph.D. of Jamestown, R.I.; grandchildren, Taylor Sleight Harrison, Grace Eleanor Harrison, Brinley Ann Harrison, and Cameron Harrison; cousin, Barbara Dow Nucci and her sons, of South Portland and Naples, Italy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Millard enjoyed sports all his life, and followed national teams closely, as well as cheering on the teams of his children and grandchildren. He and his family loved hiking, canoeing, skiing, and many sailing adventures.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sat., Oct. 28 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 11 White St., Rockland with the Rev. Ted Kannellakis officiating.
In lieu of flowers, friends may choose to support Partners for Enrichment, a 501(c)3 agency, 721 Camden Rd., Hope, ME 04847. The goal of the agency is to provide art and science enrichment to the students of Appleton, Hope, and Lincolnville schools.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.
Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation, 9 Mountain St., Camden.
