BEN HARRIS

BEN HARRIS - ST. JOHNSBURY/BURLINGTON - Ben Harris, a pillar of the St. Johnsbury community, well-known for his family values and contributions to the civic, cultural, business and religious life of the Northeast Kingdom, died peacefully at the family home Sunday, surrounded by Rosalie, his wife of 72 years, and his children. He was 101. Born and raised in St. Albans, Ben showed early civic leadership and business savvy, graduating from the High School in 1929, pro-merito with a commercial course, as Class President and Treasurer - while also serving as Secretary to the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce Executive Secretary. A performer in school plays and a contributor to the school newspaper weekly, Ben was also an active Boy Scout and continued to be a member of the Vermont Scouting Heritage Society for many years. In 1931, Ben graduated from Bryant and Stratton Business College in Boston, now Newbury College, with a degree in business administration. In 1972, he was invited back to the school to receive a special Achievement Award at commencement, singled out for his success in the business world. In 1933, with his brother, Nathan, he co-founded Nate's, Inc., which eventually became Vermont's largest men's clothier. In 1968, Ben and Nate received the New England Apparel Retailer of the Year award, a prestigious recognition by industry sales representatives. A member of the "Greatest Generation," Ben entered the U.S. Army in 1942 and was stationed at Post Headquarters in Fort Devens, until he was assigned as Secretary to Colonel Neyland, Coach of the East All Army Football team. He was promoted to Master Sergeant, became qualified as a Marksman Sharpshooter, and worked with the Anti-Aircraft Battalion Headquarters in Boston and in various headquarters locations in the U.S. before going to the Philippines. He returned for discharge in January 1946, receiving American Theatre Campaign and Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign ribbons, and Good Conduct and Victory Medals. Once back in the States, Ben resumed his career in the clothing business, running the Nate's store in Montpelier with his brother until 1949 when he moved his family to St. Johnsbury to open another store. Ben remained in St. Johnsbury for the rest of his life, becoming actively engaged in the business, cultural, civic and religious life of the community. The list of organizations to which Ben belonged is significant not only for its length, but also for the active commitment and friendships he developed with each group. His memberships included DeMolay, where he served as Secretary for a number of years; Knights of Pythias, where he was a Prelate; American Legion for 70 years; Elks for 76 years; and the St. Albans Historical Society. Ben served as President of the Arlington School PTA; President of the St. Johnsbury Board of Trade, a division of the State Chamber of Commerce; and was a member of the St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce since 1949, becoming a Trustee Emeritus. He served on the Visitors Committee of Lyndon State College, where he and Rosalie endowed a nursing scholarship; co-chaired an Athenaeum fundraising drive; and served on the Catamount Arts Board of Directors. After his retirement from Nate's in 1983, Ben joined SCORE and counseled emerging businesses, supporting their growth and success. Ben, with Rosalie, was a Corporator of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH), and was recently recognized with her as an Honorary Lifetime Corporator, acknowledged for his "support, guidance, and leadership" in improving the health of the people served by NVRH. The civic organization perhaps closest to Ben's heart was Kiwanis, where he was a lifetime member and received his 75-year Legion of Honor membership pin in 2014. He was a charter member of the Montpelier Club, was active in the St. Johnsbury Club, being President in 1955, and was a delegate to the International Convention. Ben inspired others in the Club to support Special Olympics by providing initial support. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute. He was a successful solicitor and barker/auctioneer in the annual Kiwanis auction, raising funds and entertaining audiences to support the swimming pool and other charitable programs of the Club. A man of deep religious commitment and respect for tradition, Ben was a tireless leader and stalwart member of Congregation Beth El, St. Johnsbury's synagogue, where he served as President (and most other leadership posts) for many years, as well as Chairman of the area's Bonds for Israel Campaign. As a lay leader in a town with a small Jewish population, Ben frequently represented the Jewish community to the wider non-Jewish public. A generation of graduates from St. Johnsbury Academy were inspired by his annual commencement invocation and benediction which combined Jewish traditions with universal values. Acknowledging Ben and Rosalie's efforts at building bridges between the Jewish and non-Jewish communities in the Northeast Kingdom, an endowed fund in Ben and Rosalie's name sponsors an annual program for the Northeast Kingdom, sharing culture, arts and ideas across religions. Ben was the last surviving of five siblings, Dot Pearl, Nate Harris, Max Harris, and Sylvia Grodzinsky, children of Hyman and Yetta Harris. Ben is survived by his wife of 72 years, Rosalie; children, Gertrude "Chips" Naparstek and husband, David, of Boxborough, Mass.,Andrea Harris of Brighton, Mass., and Bill Harris and wife, Marcia, of Cambridge, Mass.; and by grandchildren, Mark Naparstek and wife, Ember, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sam and Jake Harris of Watertown and Cambridge, Mass., respectively. Ben's beloved granddaughter, Amy Sara Naparstek, predeceased him in 1995. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Emerson and Zander Naparstek, of Las Vegas, Nev. The family extends its thanks to the wonderful healthcare professionals and loving caregivers who have provided support to Ben and the family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect St., Burlington. Interment will follow in Hebrew Holy Society Cemetery, 319 Patchen Rd., South Burlington. The family will greet friends at their home, 66 Dundee St., St. Johnsbury, on Tuesday 7 to 9 p.m., service at 7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., service at 7:30 p.m. Arrangements are by Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Directors, 800682-2851. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Johnsbury Kiwanis Club, PO Box 204, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; the Ben and Rosalie Harris Fund of Beth El Synagogue, PO Box 568, St. Johnsbury, VT 058190568; or the Amy Sara Naparstek Fund at Congregation Beth Elohim, 133 Prospect St., Acton, MA 01720.