Mel Harrison

Mel Harrison Melvin Eugene "Mel" Harrison, age 76 of Vermilion, died on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at the New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph in Lorain. He was born February 16, 1930 in Crucible, Pennsylvania. He has lived in Vermilion for over 40 years, moving from Pennsylvania. He retired from the Ford Motor Company in Lorain after 32 years of service with the UAW Local 25 as a final assembler. Mel excelled in sports at Carmichaels High School in Pennsylvania, and soon after graduation was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1995 he was elected to the Big Ten Fayette County Baseball Hall of Fame. He enjoyed golf and outdoor recreation of all kinds and traveling, especially to Alaska. His first love was sandlot baseball of which he never missed a game. He is survived by his daughters, LuAnn Athey of Vermilion, Ohio, Kathy Dillinger of Cleveland, Ohio, Debbie Schwenson of Vermilion, Ohio and Tammy McBee of Wilmington, Ohio; sons, Chuck Harrison of Medina, Ohio, Mel (Speedo) Harrison, Jr. of Ashville, Ohio and Gene Baker of Vermilion, Ohio; 18 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Jeannie Roberts of Henderson, Nevada; brothers, Ken Harrison of Khedive, Pennsylvania and George Harrison of Nellis, Nevada. He was preceded-in-death by his wife of 35 years, Carrol (nee Lydic) in 2004 and his parents, G.M. and Marylou (nee Yoders) Harrison. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 12:00 noon at the First Baptist Church, 6716 West River Road, Vermilion, Ohio. The Reverend Don Resecker, pastor, will officiate. Graveside services will immediately follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. Memorial contributions are encouraged to the Mel Harrison Baseball Scholarship Benefit, c/o Lorain National Bank, 4455 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, Ohio 44089.