Harrison Koons Caner III

Harrison Koons Caner, III, passed away peacefully on January 16th at Elizabethtown Community Hospital (NY), while family members, from far and wide, reminisced and sang hymns to him via Zoom.

Born in Philadelphia, PA. on December 15, 1927, Harrison was the youngest child of Harrison and Sarah Uytendale Caner. He graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH. in 1946 and Harvard University in 1950.

Harrison moved to Dedham, MA. in 1952 and began a long career at the First National Bank of Boston (now Bank of America). He retired in 1983 as Vice President and Manager of the Endowment Fund Portfolio in the Old Colony Trust Division. During his years in Dedham, he served as Town Finance Committee Chairman, Treasurer of the Dedham Library and Treasurer of the Dedham Choral Society.

In December, 1963, Harrison married the love of his life, Judith (Martin). In the words of their favorite song by Frank Sinatra, they met “Just in Time”. Guided by shared values, they blended their families together. Every August, Harrison and Judy gathered the children and a menagerie of pets and hitched a loaded trailer to the family station wagon. Off they went to a beloved cottage in Keene Valley, NY. and spent the month exploring all that the Adirondacks have to offer. After his retirement, Harrison and Judy purchased Clifford Falls Farm in Keene, NY. and lived there full time. For decades, it was the gathering place for family and friends.

Harrison was introduced to the Adirondacks by his first father-in-law, Richard Frothingham. Thus began a lifelong love of ”God’s Country” as he liked to call it. Beginning with Giant Mountain in 1953, he climbed all of the ADK peaks over 4,000 ft.(some many times over!) and proudly became an ADK 46er #936 on August 25, 1973 at the age of 46. He served on the Board of the Adirondack Trail Improvement Society and was a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

In addition to being an accomplished hiker, Harrison enjoyed outguessing the stock market, reading about historical figures, singing bass in local choirs, and tending to his bountiful vegetable gardens. Whether the game was croquet, horseshoes or cards, he played to win! His love of football was perfectly captured in 1968 by his meticulous diagraming of “The Game” as he listened to the play-by-play on the radio. “Harvard beats Yale 29-29”! Swing music brought Harrison to his feet. He and Judy would attract a crowd whether “cutting a rug” in their own living room or out on the dance floor. Community service continued to be important to Harrison during his years in Keene Valley. He served on the Board of the Keene Valley Library, was the Treasurer of the Keene Valley Congregational Church and delivered meals for the local Meals on Wheels for many years.

Harrison is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith, his daughters Janet Caner (Evan), Julie Craig (David), Emily Caner (Mark) and sons Brooks Rogers (Marian), Peter Rogers (Susan), Anthony Caner (Ann), and Nathaniel Caner (Cindy) 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and his beloved dog, Merry. Harrison’s steadfast spirit, intellect and touch of mischief will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Champlain Valley Senior Center where Harrison lived for two years. They also send virtual hugs to the wonderful Elizabethtown Community Hospital nurses who cared for Harrison with so much compassion in his final hours.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be shared online at: www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com . In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Keene Valley Congregational Church.