Humphrey Maris

Professor Humphrey John Maris, 86, a Barrington resident since 1975, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2025, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Born and raised in England, he earned a Ph.D in physics at Imperial College, London in 1963 and moved to the United States shortly after. In 1965 he joined the physics faculty at Brown University, where he remained until his retirement in 2014. For his research he received many awards, including Brown's Impact Award for being the most successful inventor in Brown University history.





While physics was Humphrey's passion, he had many other interests. He travelled extensively, was an avid gardener and chicken keeper. His workshop was always filled with projects; he built furniture, bookcases, cabinets, beds, a sauna, a bunkhouse for his daughters, a tool shed, and a chicken coop. He loved all animals, particularly his chickens; he raised them from baby chicks and gave them each a name. His chicken Dolores lived to be fourteen.



He is survived by Faye, his wife of 56 years, his daughters Jillian and Lillian (Samuel Crossman) his sister Gillian Cotton, and his nephews David and Stephen Cotton.



A memorial service will be held at a later date. www.csori.com