James L. Harrison Jr. died on March 29, surrounded by his loving family at home in Edgartown following a long illness. He was 93.

Jim was born on October 8, 1931, in New York, N.Y., to the late James L. and Pauline M. Harrison.

He was a man of many talents and interests, living a life dedicated to his family, community service and the love of nature. He attended The Buckley School in NYC (class 1946), graduated from St. Paul’s School (class 1950), in Concord, N.H. and later attended Princeton University (class 1954).

Following Officer Candidate School, he served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1954, where he was stationed in Korea as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery Commander.

After military service, he embarked on a distinguished career as an airline transport pilot. For over 30 years, he flew numerous aircraft for corporations such as Starflite, Inc., FMC Corp., and Stauffer Chemical Co., where he served as Senior Line Captain at Westchester County Airport, N.Y. His logbook records flights in over 50 different aircraft.

In 1966, Jim married Ulrike M. (Ricky) Harrison, with whom he raised two daughters, Anna Walker and Pauline Toomey, in Ridgefield, Conn. There, Jim was deeply involved in the community, serving many years on the vestry and as a lay Eucharistic minister at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

After 20 years in Ridgefield, Jim and his family retired to their favorite vacation spot, Martha’s Vineyard, where he continued his community service. He served as honorary deacon at the Edgartown Federated Church, volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels for over 30 years and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2012.

He also served on various local boards, including Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and served as the treasurer of the First and Third Club. His greatest love beyond family, was the time he spent with friends at Katama Air Field where he served as a commissioner.

He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, with a particular fondness for astronomy, bird watching and gardening. He could identify every bird song, was an enthusiast of steam locomotives and antique cars and was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed many years of fishing at Wasque Beach, shell fishing and cultivating bountiful vegetable gardens.

He was also an avid skier and golfer and enjoyed traveling with Ricky. On one of their adventures, they visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum where he unexpectedly came across one of his previously owned airplanes, a Ryan ST-3KR / PT-22 with his N number N6501 hanging among the many world-renowned artifacts. It was a thrilling discovery that filled him with pride.

Jim is predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Mildred H. Dent and Pauline H. Winans. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ricky, of 59 wonderful years, two daughters, Annie Walker of Chatham, N.J. and Polly Toomey of Oak Bluffs; sons-in-law Glen Walker and Patrick Toomey; four grandchildren, Ellie Walker, Harrison Walker, Emma Toomey and Chase Toomey, many nieces, nephews and cousins and his beloved cat, Felix.

A memorial service will be held on May 3, 11 a.m. at the Edgartown Federated Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard. Jim’s family is beyond thankful for their 15 months of extraordinary care.