AUBURN — Webster Lee “Web” Harrison, 78, of Auburn, passed away unexpectedly of cardiac arrest at his home Sunday, June 17.

His friends described him as a man of character and wisdom, serious, engaging and loyal. He was a good man who enjoyed life and touched many lives for the better.

He was born in Torrington, Conn., on March 31, 1940, to Lee H. Harrison and Inez Delia Webster. He is the grandson of the 19th-century Lewiston Mayor, William E. Webster.

He was a student at Torrington High School and New Hampton School. He attended Bates College from 1959-63. He played football under the tutelage of some very fine men who would have a lasting impact on his life, and developed disciplined, hard work habits as a biology major.

He loved the education and opportunities that Bates College afforded him. A loyal alumnus, he recently celebrated with former classmates at his 55th reunion.

In 1964 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. As an infantry platoon commander in Vietnam, his experiences and memories from there were an important part of his life. He saw the best and worst examples of human behavior, and it taught him to truly value the freedoms we enjoy.

Following Vietnam he was stationed at Quantico, Va., training officer candidates. He was discharged from the USMC in 1967 as a captain. He said his experiences as a Marine officer taught him that commitment, discipline, integrity and courage were necessary to succeed. This is how he led his life.

In 1977 he was named head football coach at Bates College and the following year head lacrosse coach. During his tenure he coached and mentored hundreds of Bates athletes.

He always emphasized the academic side of their time at Bates. His commitment to those he taught through sports may be reflected in the array of successes that can be found in his former players.

In his last years at Bates, he joined the Office of College Advancement. He retired in 1999 after 25 years of service.

Web was very engaged in a second “career” in retirement. During that time he developed a love of golf and spent hours practicing his swing at his favorite driving ranges and offering coaching tips to anyone who was nearby. His competitiveness was evident when he played with “The Coaches Foursome” and former players.

He loved spending winters in Siesta Key, Fla., where he could practice and play and enjoy the serene life by the water. He spent many hours on the lanai talking and laughing about Marine Corps days and hundreds of other topics with his dear friends.

He developed an extensive library of varied topics from the history of the Vietnam War, gardening and cooking to the stock market and science. He was proud of the fact that he was a lifelong learner and was currently studying the history, physics and philosophy of time … really!

He inherited both his mother’s and father’s love of gardening. Lovely gardens on his property in Auburn featured over 12,000 daffodils. They were a source of enjoyment, pride and more than modest accomplishment. He proclaimed himself the Daffodil King of Auburn and was shooting for the title to include Southern Maine.

He gave away thousands of those daffodils every year. Bouquets were given to people at the Hospice House, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice in Auburn, the Dempsey Center and the staff at East Auburn Community School, which his daughter had attended. He enjoyed talking about the 27,000 varieties and 13 types. When people stopped by they often got a lesson, including an annual visit from the kindergarten class down the hill.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Kathleen (McEntee) Harrison of Auburn; daughter, Kathryn Harrison and her husband, Tim Smith of Fort Collins, Colo.; and his beloved granddaughter, Delia Smith.

Condolences may be shared with his family at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.

Webster “Web” L. Harrison