John M. Harris

John M. Harris, 94, of Bolton, loving husband of 63 years to the late Jean (Burke) Harris, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, August 9, 2019 at home. John was born in Boston, MA, on February 18, 1925 son to the late Thaddeus and Ruth (Newcomb) Harris.

John grew up and attended school in Winchester, MA before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps and proudly serving his country during WWII where he was stationed in North Africa and India for most of his service. After retiring from his successful career at Combustion Engineering in Windsor, John worked for many years with his son as a buyer for Parkerville Wood Products until his final retirement in 2004.  In his spare time John enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing until he was 90 (one of his famous quotes “I’m the oldest but I’m not the worst”), and decades of duckpin bowling. During baseball season, John could always be found cheering on his favorite hometown baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. Last year John sat on the Green Monster for a game and was recognized by the Red Sox Organization for his lifetime of fan support and for his military service. Family was most important to John, always supporting them and helping them in any way that he could. He was also a daily patron of Shady Glen in his later years where the staff and other patrons welcomed and cared for him like family. This became an important part of his routine. Many thanks to all the people there who cared for him as well as his caregivers, primarily his nurses Britani & Mellissa. He also had the best neighbors in the world. Words can’t thank them enough.

John is survived by his three children; David Harris and his wife Rebecca of Manchester, Thomas  Harris of Hebron and Nancy Lotas and her husband Eric of Vernon, eight grandchildren; David Harris, Patrick Harris, Sean Harris and his wife Seychell, Gregory Harris and his wife Amanda, Brendan Harris and his friend Andrea Chudzik, Ryan Harris and his friend Bridget Burns, Katie Lotas and Sara Dion and her husband Kevin, three great-grandchildren, Landon, Austynn, and Alexander. He is also survived by his brother Charles (Joe) Harris and his wife Mabs of Winchester, MA. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his oldest son John (Jack) Harris.

A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester with a service to begin at 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Bolton Center Cemetery, 33 Hebron Rd., Bolton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Development & The Jimmy Fund, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. To leave an online message of condolence for his family, please visit www.holmeswatkins.com.

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