Well, folks, the celebration of John Harney’s life at his wake and funeral was moving, sad, and happy. It was a beautiful sunny day with pillow-like clouds in a blue sky. The breeze was gentle and the air slightly cool in the northwestern hills of Connecticut. There were many tears, but lots of laughter as his sons told us stories of their Papa John and friends spoke of their love for this great man. I was fortunate to meet up with tea friends, Howard Davis, James Norwood, Valerie Pratt, and Devan Shah. We sat together as we bid our farewell to John and his grandchildren gave the readings.
As a memento the greeters had passed out tea tins imprinted with John’s photo. The priest, Rev. Joseph G.M. Kurnath, later commented that John was even distributing tea in the end.
Keith Harney gave the eulogy and the grandsons sang. Keith said the Harney family felt they were like the all American family from the Jimmy Stewart movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. On cue, friends and family rang a bell, symbolizing that every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. I held back my tears until the recessional.
Later at the cemetery, amongst hundreds of people, we met up with Elizabeth Knight, another tea colleague. Tears soon turned to laughter when we realized that the driver of the hearse locked the keys in the vehicle and they could not get John out. A locksmith was called. After an hour of trying, some folks thought they should break the window. I went to the back of the hearse and tried to pick the back door lock with my Swiss Army knife. I was persistent but it did not work. I heard a voice behind me say, “He’s not coming out til 1:45.” I turned and introduced myself and asked, “Why?” The gentleman said, “Because John has his lunch every day from 12:45 to 1:45. They’ll get the door unlocked at 1:45!” Sure enough – that’s when the locksmith was successful. Then John’s son Keith told a story of when the boys were younger. Their dog, Pal, went missing one day. Papa John went to look for him. Soon afterward the dog came home, but no Papa. A few hours later, Papa came in with his clothes all dirty. He told them that he found the dog in an open grave at the cemetery and the only way he could get the dog out was to jump in the grave and lift him out. Only problem with that solution was that John then could not get out himself. Persistent as he was, fortunately, he climbed out and got home. We all laughed so much.
The final goodbyes were solemn: the military gun salute, the folding of the flag and handing it over to John’s widow Elyse, the playing of “Taps” and the bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.” What a day and what a privilege to be with the loving family and friends of John D. Harney. We were all invited back to the garden of the Harney home for lunch. What a glorious day it was. Much love my friend,
Til we meet again.
Read The Daily Tea’s Tribute to John Harney
