Lt. Harris Obituary (1913 - 2004)

WINTHROP - Lt. Col. Emory Edward Harris, retired, 91, loving husband, father and grandfather, died at his home in Winthrop on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004. He was born in North Monmouth on July 19, 1913, the son of Alton and Bessie (Turner) Harris. He graduated from Monmouth Academy in 1931 and Maine Wesleyan Seminary in 1932. Emory attended the University of Maine at Orono before enlisting in the Army in 1941. He married Dora Y. Dumont on Feb. 25, 1946. In high school, Emory was a fullback on the football team and was captain of the baseball team. He lived to see his beloved Red Sox win the World Series, and cherished the special Red Sox cap that John Henry Williams brought home to him from the 1986 World Series. He enlisted in the service on Jan. 21, 1941, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. Emory served with the 58th Bomb Wing, Very Heavy, 25th Air Service Group, stationed in Karagpour, India, and the Tinian Islands. He was the post engineer, and directly planned and supervised all maintenance of utilities, building, firefighting and base. His brother Staff Sgt. Glendon Harris, a turret gunner on the Wedoodit, a B-52 Strafer, was killed in action in Raboul, New Britain, on Oct. 24, 1943. Emory continued to serve his country in the Army Reserve and became deputy commander of the Maine Military Reserve Unit, which coordinated emergency disaster plans with the Department of Civil Defense. He worked in area textile mills and also for the U.S. Postal Service. On April 14, 1948, Mr. and Mrs. Harris purchased their home on Royal Street in Winthrop. From 1977 to 1997, the Harrises spent their winters in Bradenton, Fla. Mr. Harris was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a life member of the American Legion, a life member of the Military Officer's Association and a member of the Southern Maine Military Officer's Association. For many years he helped to serve meals at the local soup kitchen and also volunteered needed services to help local elderly neighbors. Emory was predeceased by five brothers, Lewis, Oren, David, Ronald and Glendon Harris; and two sisters, Alta Baker and Lila Mae Harris. He is survived by his wife, Dora of Winthrop; his daughter, Maxine Pray and her husband, Robert, of Winthrop; one sister, Eleanor Roberts of Winthrop; two granddaughters, Alexandra Pray of Bridgewater, N.J., and Kristina Busenitz and her husband, John, of Bloomington, Ind.; brother-in-law Gerard Dumont and sister-in-law Simone Ouellette, both of Jay; cousin Clinton Harris and his wife, Barbara, of Mechanic Falls; and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to visit 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, with the Rev. Brian Blanchette, celebrant. Committal prayers with full military honors will be held at a day and time not yet determined at the new Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Memorial donations can be made to: Maine Veterans' Home, P.O. Box 901, Cony Road, Augusta 04330; or to: Hospice Volunteers of Kennebec Valley, MaineGeneral Medical Center, 150 Dresden Ave., Gardiner 04345.