Lieutenant Colonel Harry Leroy Ritson, a Master US Army Parachutist, achieved his most honorable jump on December 16, 2017 when, following a brief illness, he parachuted from this earthly presence into the loving arms of the Lord. Harry was born on September 3, 1929, the son of Thomas and Kathryn (Pooley) Ritson. A longtime resident of Simsbury, Old Lyme, and later, Glastonbury, Harry held in high regard the value of service to country and community. He served 36 years in the US Army holding every rank from Private to Lt. Colonel, including Sergeant-Major. He served with the 11th Airborne Division in active duty and after he was honorably discharged, he served 33 years in the Army Reserves as a Ranger and a Green Beret in Special Forces. He took great pride in his Master Parachutist badge which he earned by completing over 275 jumps, including at least one from every airplane in service during his tenure in the Army.
Following active duty, he matriculated at New York University, graduating in two and a half years so that he could marry his high school sweetheart, Joan Elaine Fowler, on September 13, 1952. The couple recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. As newlyweds, they settled in Simsbury, where Harry built the family home, doing much of the carpentry himself. Later he put his carpentry skills to work building homes for some of his six children. As a proud and involved father, Harry answered the call to volunteer in his community: in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, on behalf of Simsbury High School football, and with the church youth group. He served as the President of the War Memorial Pool, United Methodist Church, Simsbury Fire District, and the Simsbury Safety Committee. For many years he served on the Board of Governors at the Point O’Woods Beach in Old Lyme, where the family enjoyed summers. Harry was never happier than when he was on his back deck barbequing with his family and closest friends, Joan and Bill Clark and their family. He volunteered with the Department of Defense Agency (ESGR) for 20 years, educating, mentoring, and mediating job difficulties for returning veterans, and for this service he was honored with the coveted James Roche Spirit Award for Volunteerism. Always giving of himself to help others in need, over the years he donated 208 pints of blood to the American Red Cross and he never turned down a request from the pheresis platelet program for a patient in need.
During his successful career at Connecticut General (now CIGNA), Harry served as Director of Organization and Systems, Director of Data Processing, and Director of Human Resources. He also served as International President of the Association of Systems Management, with 112 chapters worldwide, and earned its Distinguished Service Award. Following retirement from CIGNA, he immediately embraced a second career as Vice President of People Management Incorporated, a worldwide consulting firm.
In addition to his wife, Joan, Harry leaves a sister, Patti (Jeff) Blum, and his five children and their spouses: James (Nina) Ritson, Laurie (Fred) Dougherty, John (Ann) Ritson, Beth (Larry) Lavender, and Wendy (Eric) Weingarten. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his 13 grandchildren: Kim and Thomas Ritson, Katherine and John Dougherty, Jesse Ritson, Abigail, Matthew and Laura Ritson, Bridget and Spencer Lavender, Evan Oakes, Olivia and Robert Jamieson Weingarten, and one great-grandchild, Joseph Daniel. He was predeceased by his eldest son, Robert S. Ritson, his cousin, Malcolm Pooley, and his best friend, Bill Clark.
A celebration of Harry’s remarkable life and achievements will be held on Saturday, December 23 at 11:00 am at the First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury. Burial will be private. In memory of their beloved husband, father and papa the family asks, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Harry's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or to First Church Youth Mission Trip, 689 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury has charge of the arrangements.