Bertrand Harris

Harris, Bertrand Cutting "Bert", 98, long-time Fullerton resident, currently of Balboa Island, died November 8, 2010. Bert was born in Boise, Idaho on December 19, 1911. Son of a school principal from Massachusetts and a druggist from the wilds of Deadwood, South Dakota Territory, he reflected his mother's scholarship as well as his dad's out west friendliness. Bert spent his first 10 years in Eagle, Idaho, where his dad had established the Eagle Drugstore in 1908. In 1922 pursuing better educational opportunities for their sons, the family moved to Fullerton where Bert's father opened Harris Drug store at the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Amerige Ave. After graduating from Fullerton High School in 1929 Bert attended the USC school of Pharmacy, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1933. He then joined his dad at Harris Drug store. Always a cheerful conversationalist behind the counter Bert loved to take care of and talk with his customers. In 1941 Bert married Joyce Berry of San Fernando. Fullerton's superintendent had notified Bert to watch out for Joyce, the new elementary school teacher in town. He did, they met, and the rest is history. After selling Harris Drug Store in 1973 he enjoyed part-time work and camaraderie at the Student Health Center of Cal State Fullerton for 10 years until he was 72. Above all, Bert was kind and gentlemanly. He enthusiastically greeted everyone he met and treated everyone with respect and kindness. Bert was an active man, attentive to the weather, current events, and family activities. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald, who died as an infant and his brother, Robert Elwyn Harris, of San Clemente. Bert is survived by his devoted wife, Joyce; his son, Gerry, of Newport Beach; his daughter Ann Barron and her husband Richard of Santa Ana and their daughters Jamie Clapper and Cori Esperanza. He especially enjoyed his five great grandchildren, Niya, Andrew, Naomi, Ella and Trey. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Esther Harris of San Clemente and her family. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana on Tuesday, November 16 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton or the music ministry of Trinity Pres. in Santa Ana. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary