Roy Stanley Harriss

Roy was born in Upney, Sussex, England; after the War, he served in the RAF, then became a crane operator ("docker") loading pallets of freight on and off ships. He came to the US in 1962 and worked for the Port of Oakland as a crane operator, loading and unloading containers, until retiring in 1992. He met his wife, Nancy, at the Bull and Bush Pub in San Francisco; they married in 1970. Roy was a lifelong fan of old motorcycles, 1960's era "Dodgeasauras" automobiles and light plane flying. His favorite airplanes were his Aeronca Champ "Nancy" (now flying in the UK) and his current Cessna 120. He had a jovial and imposing personality, a great sense of humor, and loved being with friends and enjoying a good time. Roy served in the Civil Air Patrol, was a member of the Schellville Antique Escadrille, Petaluma Area Pilots Association (PAPA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Blenheim Society and the Shuttleworth Trust in England. Roy is survived by his wife Nancy; stepson Bruce Merrick (Michele) and family of Alberta, Canada; brother Derek Harriss and family of Australia; cousins in England; and a host of friends all over the world. He was predeceased by his beloved "mum" and his father in England. At Roy's request, no formal funeral service will be held, and his ashes will be scattered at sea. A Celebration of Roy's Life will be held at the PAPA Hangar at Petaluma Airport on Sunday October 17, 2010, starting at 1:00 p.m. A guide will be at the main gate of the airport (across from the 29er Diner Restaurant) from 12:30 p.m. to give directions to the PAPA hangar.