Harrison Westhaver Gauld

STANDISH – “Coolest dude on the planet. None cooler.”

That’s how Harrison and his father liked to greet each other, straight-faced and without nuance. Like many people with autism, Harrison was void of pretense or sarcasm. Among his many rituals, the “coolest dude” one was exclusive between father and son. When he said it, he meant it. So did his dad.

The day before he died, Harrison’s mom and dad had an awesome visit with him at his home in Standish. As they talked, laughed, sang, and shot some hoops, they had no way of knowing that it would be their last time together. They are grateful that it was truly a great time.

We lost him on July 11, 2022. Not only is that the most agonizing sentence anyone in Harrison’s family has either written or read, its full impact has yet to register. Chest-deep in Maine’s Sebago Lake, he had a seizure, took in too much water, and emergency health workers were unable to revive him.

Aside from his family, a short list of the things Harrison loved would include the Beatles, hiking, swimming, basketball, dancing (esp. at his cousins’ weddings), lasagna, cherry Twizzlers, and medium vanilla cones at DQ. None of his memorable birthday parties were complete without his tear-jerking vocal rendition of Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart.”

Among the countless thoughtful emails, phone calls, and e-messages Harrison’s family has been so touched to receive, one read, “You all helped Harrison create a life that was led by his destiny, not his diagnosis.” The sentiment in that statement guided his parents, siblings, extended family, teachers, and mentors in their efforts to help prepare Harrison for his adult life.

Harrison and his family had a lot of help. That short list would include:…

– Exceptional personal tutors, great teachers in the Bath public schools, The May Center, Sweetser, and Cardinal Cushing Academy (Massachusetts) from which he graduated in 2014.

– Six summers at Camp Ramapo in Rhinebeck, N.Y. from age 9 thru 14 taught him both teamwork and independence.

– Scores of students at Hyde School who served as baby-sitters, bowling competitors, big brothers/sisters during his formative years. (He cherished his many years as the water boy for the Hyde football team.)

– The team at Granite Bay Care during the last five years of his life.

Mohamed Jama, of Granite Bay, has been Harrison’s primary mentor since he moved out of his boyhood home in 2017. Mohamed’s wisdom, concern for, and commitment to Harrison’s unique potential not only made it easier for his family to let go of him, they were inspired to find Harrison leading the way in connecting them with a man and his family who will be joined with theirs long into the future.

Harrison also did a lot on his own. He began each day by reciting the five-part pledge, a personal mission statement he composed years ago:

1.) Learn something new each day.

2.) Say “Hi” to people and get to know them.

3.) Have safe hands and voices.

4.) Work hard.

5.) Have fun.

He also would spend hours at his backyard basketball hoop perfecting his one-of-a-kind overhead two-hand bank shot.

In the midst of their inconsolable grief over the loss of their son, their brother, Harrison’s immediate family – parents Laura and Malcolm and sisters Mahalia and Scout and their partners Paul and Liam – stand forever grateful to the village that helped Harrison live his unique potential.

Hundreds of people loved Harrison. None of them were prepared to lose his presence on this earth at the age of 28. All of them will hold his spirit close, long into the future.

Harrison’s life will be celebrated on Sept. 21 at Hyde School in Bath. His family and friends are both welcome and encouraged to join together to share memories, stories, and fellowship in a manner befitting the “Coolest dude on the planet.”