Walter Ross Harbison Arcade, New York Obituary

Walter Ross Harbison

<p>Walter Ross Harbison, (known to family and friends as Ross) was born on November 26, 1945 and died on Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 due to a difficult illness. He was born in Buffalo, New York to Edward and Caroline Harbison. He was the younger of two children, Carole McGinness, being his beloved sister.</p><p><br></p><p>He graduated from East Aurora High School in 1963. He then went on to Syracuse University where he graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. He worked many jobs but the one that stood out for him was being a code enforcement officer for the Village of East Aurora.</p><p><br></p><p>His greatest accomplishment was when he dedicated his life to his God, Jehovah, on February 2, 1975. That led to greater joy, when he was able to use his skill in Landscape Architecture to further kingdom interest. He found a new love—locating and designing Kingdom Hall sites. But his work didn’t stop there. He just loved to jump in and get his hands “dirty” when it came to the actual physical work of the construction! What wonderful privileges he enjoyed! He never took those privileges for granted. He put in so much time with the RBC, that he was encouraged to regular pioneer, which he did for a number of years. Those blessings never stopped coming. He was later invited to Puerto Rico for the hurricane Maria disaster relief project. Some of his most favorite memories would come from this event. He truly appreciated his time there and it would forever change his life. He spoke about the rewarding work and the great friendships that essentially came out of that tragedy and would relate those experiences often.</p><p><br></p><p>One of his happiest moments came when he married his love, Barbara in 2009. Barb was everything to him— his biggest motivator. She was so proud of him for the time and effort he expended with the RBC. And she encouraged him to go to Puerto Rico when he thought his age would be a factor. They proved to be a real team, especially when it came to Kingdom interests. She stuck by him literally to the end. Ross displayed great courage, through everything, never losing his trust and confidence in his God, Jehovah. He also kept his focus and his sense of humor while dealing with this debilitating illness. One day, with his quiet sense of humor as he listened to one of Barb’s favorite original songs (You Will See), he softly said: “that song will have to be updated when I get back.”</p><p><br></p><p>Ross was always fun loving, hospitable, generous and caring. He gravitated toward the sick, elderly and in-firmed, always making them feel loved and valued. Even before becoming an elder in the congregation, he always made sure that they were spiritually unbuilt.</p><p><br></p><p>Ross had a real love for sports, especially football and basketball, both watching and playing. He also loved the ocean and would often go on trips to Hawaii and Sarasota. The ocean was always the “happy place” for him and Barb! And if you didn’t already know his secret love, it was Perry’s Heavenly Hash ice-cream! But that would never overshadow his love for his cherished daughter, Amanda and his much-loved three step-children, Tania, Matt and Scott. He truly loved them all!</p><p><br></p><p>Ross is predeceased by his sister, Carole (Jack) McGinness. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his daughter, Amanda Beals, and step-children, Tania Stidd, Matthew (McKenzie) Muller and Scott (Alais) Pestinger.</p><p><br></p><p>He leaves us with his favorite scripture: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness. For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, The One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10,13.</p><p><br></p><p>There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 3pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 12240 Olean Road, Chaffee, NY 14030.</p><p><br></p><p>Memorials may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses or to the Arcade Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 303, Arcade, NY 14009. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
November 26, 1945 - May 31, 202311/26/194505/31/2023
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Obituary

Walter Ross Harbison, (known to family and friends as Ross) was born on November 26, 1945 and died on Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 due to a difficult illness. He was born in Buffalo, New York to Edward and Caroline Harbison. He was the younger of two children, Carole McGinness, being his beloved sister.


He graduated from East Aurora High School in 1963. He then went on to Syracuse University where he graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. He worked many jobs but the one that stood out for him was being a code enforcement officer for the Village of East Aurora.


His greatest accomplishment was when he dedicated his life to his God, Jehovah, on February 2, 1975. That led to greater joy, when he was able to use his skill in Landscape Architecture to further kingdom interest. He found a new love—locating and designing Kingdom Hall sites. But his work didn’t stop there. He just loved to jump in and get his hands “dirty” when it came to the actual physical work of the construction! What wonderful privileges he enjoyed! He never took those privileges for granted. He put in so much time with the RBC, that he was encouraged to regular pioneer, which he did for a number of years. Those blessings never stopped coming. He was later invited to Puerto Rico for the hurricane Maria disaster relief project. Some of his most favorite memories would come from this event. He truly appreciated his time there and it would forever change his life. He spoke about the rewarding work and the great friendships that essentially came out of that tragedy and would relate those experiences often.


One of his happiest moments came when he married his love, Barbara in 2009. Barb was everything to him— his biggest motivator. She was so proud of him for the time and effort he expended with the RBC. And she encouraged him to go to Puerto Rico when he thought his age would be a factor. They proved to be a real team, especially when it came to Kingdom interests. She stuck by him literally to the end. Ross displayed great courage, through everything, never losing his trust and confidence in his God, Jehovah. He also kept his focus and his sense of humor while dealing with this debilitating illness. One day, with his quiet sense of humor as he listened to one of Barb’s favorite original songs (You Will See), he softly said: “that song will have to be updated when I get back.”


Ross was always fun loving, hospitable, generous and caring. He gravitated toward the sick, elderly and in-firmed, always making them feel loved and valued. Even before becoming an elder in the congregation, he always made sure that they were spiritually unbuilt.


Ross had a real love for sports, especially football and basketball, both watching and playing. He also loved the ocean and would often go on trips to Hawaii and Sarasota. The ocean was always the “happy place” for him and Barb! And if you didn’t already know his secret love, it was Perry’s Heavenly Hash ice-cream! But that would never overshadow his love for his cherished daughter, Amanda and his much-loved three step-children, Tania, Matt and Scott. He truly loved them all!


Ross is predeceased by his sister, Carole (Jack) McGinness. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his daughter, Amanda Beals, and step-children, Tania Stidd, Matthew (McKenzie) Muller and Scott (Alais) Pestinger.


He leaves us with his favorite scripture: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness. For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, The One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10,13.


There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 3pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 12240 Olean Road, Chaffee, NY 14030.


Memorials may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses or to the Arcade Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 303, Arcade, NY 14009.



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