A curious life ends
THE grandson of one of Geelong’s most famous s and inventive men has sadly passed away.
James “Jim” Harrison — namesake of the inventor of refrigeration, former mayor, MP P and founder of the Geeelong Advertiser — died peacefully just days short ort of his 92nd birthday in Albury, NSW, on July 28.
Jim spent more than an two decades living in Aireys Inlet and Torquay before moving to Albury to be closer to family.
Jim’s family revealed he had more in common with the famed James Harrison than just a name.
“Like his grandfather, Jim always had a fascination with mechanics, all types of engines, how things worked, politics and current events,” the family said.
“He spent much of his life fixing and tinkering with cars, speed boats, motorcycles and antique engines.
“He was forever learning and always curious.
“Jim’s love of engines saw him in the late ’50s tinkering and racing speed boats on Albert Park Lake and along the Yarra River in the Moomba Masters.
“He rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle and cars were always a central part of his life.
“He followed motor racing, Formula 1 and motorbike racing.
“Jim loved nothing more than spending a weekend at a steam engine rally or hours poking around a museum seeing and learning about how things worked.
“Jim took great interest in current events and politics. He was never shy in telling anyone his views.
“Jim taught us to stay interested and be forever curious.”
In his later years, Jim was dedicated to achieving his dream of establishing a James Harrison Museum, which is yet to be realised.
Jim Harrison is survived by his four children James (Mark), Jennifer, Helen and Bradley, daughters-in-law Joanne and Brenda, son-inlaw Craig and nine grandchildren — Christopher, Geoffrey, Louis, Yvette, Justine, Lolita, Etta, Spencer and Gilbert.