Leslie Joseph Harrison

Harrison, Leslie Joseph
September 16, 1927 to January 21, 2012

Les was born in Long Beach in 1927 and raised in Santa Ana. Both Les’ parents passed away during his early childhood and in 1941 at age 16, Les joined the Merchant Marines, and then later joined the Army in 1946.

After the war, Les settled on the beach in Balboa where he met his wife, Pat to whom he was married for 59 years. After 33 years of service, he retired from the Costa Mesa Police Department in 1988. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 291 in Newport Beach, serving as Commodore of the AL Yacht Club and 1st Vice President of the Legion Corporate Board for several years. Les was also a member of the Al Malaikah Shrine in Newport Beach and Hoag Hospital Auxiliary.

Les and his wife were avid sailors and raised their family sailing back and forth to Catalina and later kept a house in Avalon. They traveled extensively around the world while Les continued his pursuit of global understanding during cocktail hour of foreign countries visited.

He is survived by his wife Pat, his son John and daughter Teddie Ray, and grandchildren, Elizabeth, Gabrielle and Harrison. He passed away on January 21, 2012, at home in Balboa, after a long illness. A Celebration of Les’ life will be held at his home on Saturday, February 18 from 4:00 to 6:00 in the evening. Email teddielray@hotmail.com for additional information.