Seth Harris

Seth's life story begins with his birth on January 16th, 1930, into a tumultuous world of social and economic change. He was the fifth child of A. Sherry Harris and Beatrice Sherman Harris. His childhood and youth were happily lived in West Hartford within walking distance of the features that would shape the passions of his life: Trout Brook, the library, a movie theater, schools, a children's museum. His early interests began with raising tropical fish, and planting gardens in his yard. By his teen years he was maintaining a large community Victory Garden, and selling excess tropical fish to local residents. After graduating from Hall High School, he began college at the Hartford branch of UConn, and, at the same time, opened Harris in Wonderland, a pet store in Elmwood, that carried an astonishing array of animals in addition to his beloved tropical fish. In his sophomore year, he moved to the Storrs campus, joined the Air National Guard 103 Fighter Wing at Bradley Airport, and began work on a degree in Zoology and Botany. Then, during the Korean War, his Guard Unit was federalized and became part of a new military branch called the Air Force. Staff Sergeant Seth Harris found himself stationed at Sutton Air Force base on Long Island. After his honorable discharge, he resumed studies at UConn, where long hours of study and labs necessitated the closing of Harris in Wonderland, which had been maintained by family members during his military service. Following graduation, Seth began a 33 year career teaching Biology in Granby at the high school, where he met his wife and fellow teacher, Beverly (Warren) Harris. As a teacher, Seth emphasized environmental awareness and predicted a coming climate change, which was not widely believed or accepted at the time. He organized an environmental club, Nucleus, which mobilized students to become aware of the early signs of climate change and find. active ways to protect the natural world in their community. He sponsored yearly all-school celebrations of a then-new entity, Earth Day. The Nucleus Club won a state wide competition for environmentalism. Meanwhile, Seth and Beverly married in 1968, and began their family, with the arrival of Virginia Jeanne (Ginger) and Adam Seth. Their home in Bloomfield, predictably, had copious gardens and animal pets. Along the way, he pursued a Master's Degree at Wesleyan University, in Liberal Studies (MALS) reflecting his wide range of interests beyond Biology (drama/theater, philosophy, history, literature, the arts). Seth was particularly proud of the family's camping adventures that explored 48 of the states, (and some Canadian provinces), especially including visits to many National Parks and historic sites. He was very involved in groups and organizations in his interest areas, including his long time membership in local and national tropical fish clubs like the Pioneer Valley Aquarium Society. He was a life member of the Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society, and was a member of the national, Connecticut, and Hartford Audubon Societies. Seth retired from teaching in 1992, and shortly thereafter, at the instigation of son, Adam, resurrected the Harris in Wonderland pet store. The store today is owned and operated by Adam, with Adam's focus on reptiles and amphibians. Seth's earthly phase concluded on August 22, Ginger's birthday, a goal he was determined to reach. She was with him as he passed to the next phase where, we have no doubt that he will be continuing his fight for the survival of Earth and its inhabitants. Seth leaves his wife of 55 wonderful years, Beverly, his children, Ginger and Adam (Anna), 4 beloved grandchildren, Aaron Seth Harris, Evan Bonde Harris, Elemental (Elm) Harris-McConnell, and Soren Janelle Harris, his sisters, Selma Foster, and Carol Noyes (Dennis Phelan), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and siblings; Harvey Sherman Harris, Evelyn Gerson, and Bradford Eliot Harris. A celebration of Seth's life is being planned, at the Hayes-Huling Funeral Home in Granby. For more information and updates, or to leave a message for his family, please visit the on-line obituary at www.carmonfuneralhome.com. We encourage any memorial donations to be made to an animal rescue charity or an environmental support cause.