Birth date: Mar 8, 1949 Death date: Jan 12, 2018
Brian Edson Harkness March 8, 1949 – January 12, 2018 After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Brain passed peacefully into heaven on January 12, 2018, at his home in Oakland, California. He is now with God and his parents Read Obituary
I went to boot camp with Brian and was placed in squad marching order right next to him so we got to know each other pretty well by graduation. He was always cheerful and interesting to talk to when we were allowed to. I lost track of him after graduation as I did so many in our boot training unit. I see we were in Vietnam at the same time although he was north of my unit and I never met up with him there. Rest in Peace, Marine! Semper Fi!
I just read of Brian’s death in O’Dowd’s magazine, the Dragon. Brian was one of the nicest boys I knew, both at St.John’s and at O’Dowd. I walked past his house every day on the way to school and stopped in a long while back to say hello, but he no longer lived on Drew Street. I’m happy to read he had a good life, filled with family and love. I can still picture him as I knew him, tall, slim and good looking, always with a smile on his face. My condolences to his family…
Brian,He was a big brother to me,We shared the love of football, the San Fransico forty niner’s and basketball, the Warrior’s.He was a very kind man.He would always ask how you were doing never thinking about himself.Brian was the bravest man I knew.Brian would give you the shirt off his back if needed.Brian was a one of a kind man.Brian will be missed by so manybut his spirit lives on.I love you Brian?I miss you.
Dear Paul Harkness and family,I wish to acknowledge your loss of your brother Brian Harkness with my sincere condolences to you and family.I also wish to acknowledge Brian’s love, support, and generosity to our Annual St. Patrick Day celebration at Cal State University, most especially our 40th celebration of 2017! I also had the distinct pleasure to meet and greet Brian and the Harkness family. He will truly be missed, but know our loss is Heaven’s gain.Sincerely,Lil Brown-Parker
Chief,My family and I will miss you!
He was a good man. I am proud to have known him and will always be grateful for his service to our country.
Brian has been a dear friend since my teen years. He was best man at my wedding, and Godfather to my son. My son’s middle name is named after Brian, and I will always be grateful that I had the privilege of having Brian in my life. He was a man of integrity, love, loyalty, and goodwill towards others. I will never stop missing him.
As a fellow Vet and early LD staffer w him, he gave so many of his gifts, beyond MDI and his country as a Marine! Thank you
