Obituary
On Thursday, July 16, 2020, Gordon Richard Harris “Richard or Dick”, passed away peacefully at age 88 with family by his side at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida.
Richard was born Sept 9, 1931 in Concord NH to parents William Fredrick Harris and Matilda (Sjoberg) Harris. Richard was the youngest of 8 children, with 3 brothers: William, Eric and John and 4 sisters: Florence, Jenny, Lillian and Dorothy. His parents bought a 40 acre farm in Hopkinton NH, with a pasture, meadows on Elm Brook, where he and his siblings all grew up and went to school. They raised crops and developed the farm as a family. Richard did well in High School and was in the Glee Club, enjoyed singing and received a scholarship to All State Music Camp and enjoyed singing hymns in church. He and his brothers would take summer jobs as “caddies” at the nearby golf course. Richard was drafted in 1953 and spent 2 years in the Army.
Richard has 5 daughters, Karen (Brady) Harris, Miriam (Street) Harris and Cynthia (Mandel) Harris with wife Sylvia (Ferguson) Harris. He also has 2 daughters, Christina (Quinn) Harris and Jennifer (Pfeiffer) Harris with his late Wife Gloria (Brewer) Harris. Richard re-married Sylvia in June of 1991. Sylvia and his 5 daughters survive him, as well as 7 Grand-children, 3 Great grand-children and many, many nieces and nephews. All of Richard’s siblings and parents have pre-deceased him.
Richard was a man of faith and loved God and was a faithful servant his entire life. He loved his brothers and sisters and was adored by his five daughters, nieces and nephews. He loved the great outdoors, bird-watching, camping & swimming in the NH lakes and later swimming in the Florida Gulf. He was a die-hard Red Sox fan. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, board games, music, painting and sharing scripture and singing along anytime he heard a song he loved. He loved Country & Christian music and had many a favorite hymn. He loved a good steak and always persuaded someone to make him one or take him out for one on each visit! Richard was kind and compassionate and always had a generous spirit. He gave to causes such as Love a Child, VFW, and SPCA and gave tithes to his church. He spent his last years in assisted living at Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans home in Port Charlotte, FL, but frequently went out for the day or weekends with family and visitors. His sweet soul will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Richard has been cremated by Baldwin Bros of Fort Myers. His remains will be transported by family to N.H. for burial at New Hopkinton Cemetery of Hopkinton, NH., where the Harris family has a private lot. Richard will be entitled to military benefits for burial. * Time and date is not yet determined for a memorial service/burial due to the Coronavirus and travel concerns for family. Family will announce when known.
Family and friends may sign the guest register or leave a condolence messsage by visiting www.baldwincremation.com.
Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society.
Will miss so many things... Love you Dad
My daddy and i on what would be my
last trip to see him
Granddaughter Morgan and Richard at petting zoo.