Obituary of James Harris

James Herbert Harris, 81 July 30, 1927-March 7, 2009 Goshen, NY James H. Harris of Goshen, NY, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2009, in Middletown, NY. He was 81. Big Jim was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He adored his wife of 59 years, Bertha Jeannette, who survives him at home. He was proud of his children: James and his wife, Patricia, of Howells; daughter Theodora Matta and her husband, Joseph, of Goshen; son Charles and his wife Karen of Westbrookville; and son Jason and his wife Jeanne of Circleville. Jim was predeceased by his daughter Julia. He doted on his grandchildren: Colleen; Sean; Erica and her husband Justin; Kyle; Rebecca and her husband Michael; Joshua; Cassandra; Jason and Jeremy. He is also survived by his brothers Henry and David and sisters Margaret, Mary Ann, Kathleen and Jane and many nieces and nephews. He is also predeceased by his brother Bernard "Bucky." Jim was a soldier and a patriot. He served two tours in the Army, the first at the end of World War II and the second in the occupation forces stationed in Germany and France. In a rare occurrence, he was the only person promoted twice in one day, serving out the rest of his tour with the rank of Staff Sergeant in charge of the motor pool. It was during his posting in Cherbourg, France, that he welcomed his first child, Jimmy, into the world. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Green Point, Brooklyn, and then moved to Middletown, where he welcomed Theo, Charlie, Julie and Jason. Jim was a hard worker and beloved boss, holding the positions of director and then vice president of maintenance for 35 years at Rupp Southern Tier, five years at E. Tetz and Sons and 10 years at Blue Circle Raia. Jim was a Scoutmaster for many years with Troop 61 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and a past member of St. Joseph's PTA and the VFW. He loved camping with his grandchildren in Rhode Island and Maine, sailing with his children on Long Island Sound, spending Thanksgiving at the Jersey Shore with his nieces and nephews and having breakfast with his wife at the Pelican in Ocracoke, NC. He loved watching the Yankees and listening to Tex Ritter. Jim was a self-made man and a gentleman. Family and friends will miss his huge heart, his kindness and his strength. Visitation will be held Monday, March 9, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Donovan Funeral Home, 82 S. Church St., Goshen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 205 Wawayanda Ave., Middletown. Interment will follow with military honors at the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Craigville Road, Goshen. Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.