HARRIS AMHOWITZ

AMHOWITZ--Harris J. March 19, 1934 - August 27, 2016 age 82 Born in Brooklyn, NY to Samuel and Ruth (Goldstein) Amhowitz. Harris moved to Bay Shore on Long Island as a young boy. He attended Bay Shore High School and then Brown University on an NROTC Scholarship graduating in 1955. While at Brown he was a member of the Tower Club and a cheerleader. His active service included a tour on the aircraft carrier Coral Sea and a tour with the Marines on Okinawa. After active duty he enlisted in the reserves and retired as a Lt. Commander after 20 years. Upon leaving active duty in the Navy, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1961. His first job in the law was to be the first clerk for Federal Judge Dudley Bonsal. His first act was to find a flag for the Judges new courtroom. Harris next stop was at Hughes, Hubbard and Reed where he practiced corporate law. Harris joined Lybrand, Ross Brothers, and Montgomery (later Coopers & Lybrand) in 1969 as its first General Counsel. He not only oversaw litigation in all 50 states, but also placed the firms personal indemnity insurance. Harris found the time to teach corporate law at New York University and to participate on the Professional and Judicial Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committees on The New York City Bar Association. Harris had a home in Seaview on Fire Island, a place that was close to his heart and became a center for gatherings of family and friends. A partnership with friends drew him to Tucson as a part-time pistachio farmer. And it was there that he bought and rode his first horse. He took great pleasure in taking trail rides with his wife, Melanie, on the beautiful open range of the Empire Ranch. Harris is pre- deceased by his mother and father, his sister Betty and niece Laura. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Melanie, his daughter Jennifer (Michael) and their daughters Lily and Evie of Jericho, NY; and his son Joshua (Faye) and their children Desmond and Marley of Los Angeles. Harris loved nothing more than to sit in his den with friends enjoying a drink, a cigar and swapping stories. Known as Pops to his children and grandchildren, he leaves a legacy of intelligence, refinement as well as a deep curiosity to see what was around the next corner. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.