James F. Harrow, 70, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 26, 2014.
Born in Medford, Mass., in 1944, Harrow earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 from Penn State University with a major in city planning. His successful 16-year planning career included jobs in Kansas City, Mo., and Laconia, N.H., as well as positions developing senior and rural housing.
He helped The Ledges in Wolfeboro, N.H., win funding in a national competition for a congregate living demonstration project. In 1981, Harrow and his wife Libby became snowbirds, living winters aboard their Columbia Sloop sailboat at Vero Beach Municipal Marina. Lured by the area’s many attractions, they moved to a house on Hibiscus Lane year-round in February 1987.
Harrow held a variety of positions in the retail sector while also engaging in volunteer activities. He served on the Indian River County Volunteer Ambulance Squad, and in 2005 received a certificate of appreciation signed by the Mayor for donating “four years of service to the betterment of our City” on the Vero Beach Finance Commission.
The welcoming climate gave him the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities including golf, sailing, motorcycling and road biking. Indoors, he could often be spotted watching a golf tournament on television, and cheering Penn State’s Nittany Lion teams.
In the past few years, Harrow courageously dealt with an inherited coronary disease that caused his decline. He moved to Palm Garden nursing home in 2014. His family wishes to thank Harrow’s friends Paul Nied and Harry Taylor, the doctors, nurses and hospice staff who attended him, and especially Public Guardian Morgan Libbey, who ensured that he received the care he needed and deserved.
He is survived by his daughter Hillary Harrow of Brooklyn, N.Y. and her sons Phineas and Benedict; Libby Harrow of Grand Junction, Colo.; and his sister Louise Crossman of Salem, W.Va.
