Reginald Harrison

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service and will go live approximately 5 minutes before the event.

Reginald Wilfred Harrison

August 16,1922 - November 20,2025

With heartfelt thanks for a life well lived and love well shared, we announce that Flight Lt. (Ret.) Reg W. Harrison passed away on November 20th at age 103 with family by his side. His passing is mourned by his daughters Susan (Brian), Marion, Laurie (Kent), sister Sylvia Acton, sister-in-law Eileen as well as his grandchildren Rick, Alex (Ana), and Graham, great grandchildren Tristan, Tyler, Violet, and Luka, and beloved nephews and nieces and their families. Reg was predeceased by his wife Jean (Woods), sister Elsie, brother Bill, brother John, brother-in-law Donald Acton, son-in-law Richard Leaver, sister-in-law Marg Harrison and nephew Shane Harrison.

Reg was born on August 16, 2022 to William Harrison and Nellie (Harding) on the farm at Pheasant Forks, Saskatchewan. As a teen, Reg watched planes training overhead as he ploughed the fields with a team of horses. He decided he wanted to be a pilot, enlisted in the RCAF, earned his Pilot's Wings in April 1943 and arrived in Liverpool, England on July 1st. Reg was posted to 431 (Iroquois) Squadron in Croft, England. He flew 19 missions over occupied Europe, survived 4 crashes which earned him the nickname "Crash", and participated in D-Day operations. He was one of the few Canadians in the famed Guinea Pig Club after receiving reconstructive skin graft surgery and was a member of the Caterpillar Club for those who bailed out of a disabled plane. Reg was the last known RCAF member of 431(B) Sqn from WWII and the oldest member of the Snowbirds Alumni Association.

Reg met his beloved wife Jean in Ottawa upon returning to Canada in a moment that can only be described as "a scene from a movie." They settled in Saskatoon where Reg worked for Veterans Land Administration for 38 years where he helped veterans obtain land and other services.

Reg was active in the Presbyterian Church, was a key member of the group that built Calvin Presbyterian Church on Lorne Avenue and served as an elder for many years. He loved golf and enjoyed it long into retirement. He was a member of Nutana Curling Club, curled into his 90s and was a member of the team that won the 2000 provincial Legion Master's competition. He enjoyed going to the rink to watch games and met curling buddies for coffee until very recently.

Reg derived immense pleasure creating and maintaining a beautiful yard and was particularly skilled at growing roses. An honourary lifetime member of the Saskatoon Horticultural Society, he received many awards for his flowers.

Reg was not one to recount his war experiences to many but after experiencing the deep void left by his wife Jean's passing, an article about his war service appeared in Air Force magazine in 1993. This led to the development of new cherished friendships and associations with a host of people from all walks of life that enriched his life immensely and, we truly believe, extended it. His warmth, thoughtful gentle nature, sense of humour, and humility endeared him to people and left a lasting impact on everyone he met.

Over the next 30 years, documentaries, media coverage, yearly Remembrance Day appearances at schools, the memoir "Crash Harrison: Tales of a Bomber Pilot Who Defied Death" eloquently written by Deana Driver as well as numerous awards and recognition for his service ensued.

Reg treasured his honourary membership in the 431 Squadron/Snowbirds family. Their heartwarming tributes reflect the deep fondness and reverence that Snowbird members past and present have for him and his service. Reg also received the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour in recognition of his involvement in the liberation of France; the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal; the King Charles III Coronation Medal; and Saskatoon Police Service Air Support Unit Honourary Pilot designation. In a joint initiative between FP Genetics and the Royal Canadian Legion recognizing veterans for their sacrifice and service, a yellow field pea seed variety has been registered as AAC Harrison under the Seeds Act.

After Jean's death, Reg's love of family ensured he kept the family bond intact with his always perfect card selection for every occasion and his countless trips to visit his daughters and their families which he often said kept the airlines in business.

Reg never thought of himself as a hero. He reserved that title for those who did not come back from war. At age 100, Reg reflected on his mortality in the book about his life. "I think people have a soul. When I die, I'm going to go soaring with the eagles. Way up in those clouds. And my soul's going to go with me. And I'll be wearing my RCAF uniform blazer with my Pilot Wings sewn on to it."

The family extends our gratitude to St. Paul's Hospital staff for the exceptional care Reg received in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a donation in Reg's memory to the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum or to a charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held at the Saskatoon Funeral Home on Saturday, December 6th at 2 p.m. with a reception following at the Edwards Family Centre across the street.

To leave condolences and to watch the livestream, visit www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com