Edward Nickerson Harriman, Jr. "Ted" - spry2

Edward Nickerson Harriman, Jr. “Ted”

October 20, 1932- September 14, 2019

Edward Nickerson Harriman, Jr. lovingly known as “Ted”, died peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2019 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Ted was born on October 20, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts to Edward N. and Viola M. Harriman, Sr. He graduated from Needham High School and began studies at Colby College where he majored in Sociology.  He took a break from school and served two years in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany where his unit aided in the post-WWII recovery. Upon his return from the Army, he went back to college and met the love of his life, Susan Record. He and Susan were married in 1958. Shortly after marrying, Ted and Susan both attended the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona, to prepare for a life of working abroad. It was quickly determined that Ted had an aptitude for languages, a skill that would serve him well in the years to come. He spoke at least four languages fluently and could work his way through almost any local dialect with his charming smile and quick wit.  

Ted was offered a job in insurance management with the AFIA Corporation to open its Singapore offices and he and Susan set off on their foreign adventures. Along the way they raised four beautiful boys, John Record, Stephen Charles, Andrew Campbell, and Christopher David, each instilled with a sense of respect for other cultures and a love of the world that only living as an expatriate can bring. Throughout the years they lived in Singapore, Malaysia, Okinawa, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Greece, China, and Hong Kong.  In 1989, Ted was offered a chance to return the U.S. and a long-held dream for him and Susan became reality when they opened The Inn at Sunapee in Sunapee, New Hampshire. For 19 years they welcomed guests, friends and family to the 18-room Inn and became a fixture in the community of Sunapee. Ted was active in the Lake Sunapee Business Association and the Lions Club.  In 2007, with two careers behind him and many friends all over the world, Ted felt he could finally retire. He and Susan closed The Inn at Sunapee with one last weeklong gathering of family and friends during the holidays that year. He and Susan then moved to Virginia to be closer to their boys and family.  

Ted will forever be known for the joy he found in others. He was a charming conversationalist and took genuine delight sitting at a table chatting over a meal with his children, family and friends; always with one of his favorite jazz musicians playing in the background. He sincerely loved his grandchildren and talking with them and hearing the details of their day to day lives. He had a gift for making friends wherever he went and no matter where he was in the world. A favorite story to tell was of meeting Louis Armstrong in an airport overseas and striking up a conversation with him while they waited for their flights. A lesser man may have shied away, but Ted never really knew a stranger.  

Ted is survived by his adoring wife of 61 years, Susan R. Harriman; his loving children Jay Harriman and his wife, Barbara, Andy Harriman and his wife Amy, and Chris Harriman and his wife Kim; his grandchildren, Zach, Erica, Eric, Evan, Stephanie, Ian, Alex, Jenny, Christopher, Holly, Campbell, Julia and two great-granddaughters, Adelina and Lily; his sister-in-law, Judith R. Balyeat; his niece, Cathy B. VanBenthuysen and her husband, Russ, two great-nieces Jessie and Amy VanBenthuysen. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward N. Harriman, Sr., his mother, Viola M. Harriman, his beloved stepmother, Blanche W. Harriman “Blanchie” and his precious son Steven C. Harriman, lost tragically in 2014.

A celebration of Ted’s life will be held on September 29, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Huntsville Christian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Ted’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Association either online at alz.org or by mail at 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60601.