Richard Jay Harris

Where do I even begin......
You were more than my older Cousin.....you were like a dad to me. Always there with advice when I needed it, always there to lend a helping hand, even giving me your old cars when I was in need. Helping with some major life decisions that could have changed the course of my life. I will be forever grateful.
Life happens, and we drifted apart, and haven't spoken in many years.... and when I found out you were sick..... I reached out for your number, so I could let you know what you meant to me. I was going to call on that Sunday, but you didn't make it to Sunday. I will forever regret not making the call the day I got the number.
Having You, Gerri, Jen, Ali, and Jamie in my life all those years and all the family memories, is a huge part of who I am and how I chose to live my life with My kids as well.
I will miss you, but have you with me in the character you helped mold in me...... I love you!

I've finally returned from my travels and the reality of Rich's death has settled in for me. We were so close growing up and even as adults, whenever his road traveled brought him back to Philly, our friendship would pick up where we left off.

As teenagers, we would burn up the roads between Philly and Levittown so we could spend time together and share our friends. At Temple U, I always knew that I could find Rich at the pizza truck or the soft pretzel vendor on the street by Paley Library. On my wedding day, it was Richard who spent the day with Joe to keep him calm and yes, to make sure that he showed up. When Michael was born, it was Rich who we asked to be his godfather. He nearly fainted at the briss. We even shared our cancer experience in our thirties. How many cousins can say that?

So I am mourning his loss as I know you all are. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share with you as I did a major and ruthless cleaning out a few years ago. But the pictures are seared in my brain and I'm holding them tight.

I'm thinking of all of you. I know what it is to lose a parent. Grief has its way with us. I hope that you are all beginning your healing, keeping your memories of Rich and each other close .

My love to you all.

Sally

No matter our age, no matter how much we think we are prepared for loss of a parent it doesn´t happen without grief, and sadness and " I wish I had and a yearning for second chances.. Death teaches us that our unique responses are to be respected in a way that brings us together. I´m a NCIS junkie and when the cast was dealing with the real death of an endearing cast member, they wrote..."We die twice; once when our bodies stop and once when the store stop being told."



I find comfort over the loss of loved ones comes from the stories I share. It keeps them alive in my heart and mind. Over time it´s hard to know which of my childhood stories have become legends, forever to be told, to remind me of the experiences our families shared. Or which ones get distorted or forgotten. I´ve chosen to share a few of my favorites which center around my being the "oldest" pre-war cousin in our family. And stories which made us share laughter.



Your dad was the son my mom and dad never had.



Ben Salem, PA. Thanksgiving. Your family lived in North Jersey. Those were the days when regardless of where we lived we managed to show up for holidays. Allie and Jamie were babies and the Harris family traveled with all the paraphernalia little ones needed; playpens, highchairs, toys, special foods, diapers and who knows what else. Your family did not travel lightly. It took many trips to get everything into the house. Rich hadn´t been in the house very long, yet he quickly discovered the chocolate marshmallows my mother made a point of bringing especially for him. He would go to the car, pick up things, bring them in, stuff a chocolate covered marshmallow into his mouth as he returned to the car bring more in, grab a marshmallow and make another trip to the car. The ritual continued until everything was in. He had no idea he was being watched but he had us laughing. I think it was a 6 or 7 marshmallow trip before everything arrived in the house. And yes, the three of you settled in to be embraced by a doting family.



Levittown. Char and Arn were on an insurance reward trip and I was in charge of the kids. Faye and Jeff went to work with me and Rich was old enough to stay home alone. I got a call from Rich that he had an accident and his foot really hurt. It became a 3 phone chain. I called my mom who called Hazel and I threw the kids into my car. I wasn´t old enough to sign for Rich´s medical issues, so Hazel covered that. Once Rich´s foot was cast we went to assess the damages at the house. That´s when the story emerged. Rich was washing Char´s car as a birthday surprise for her when it started to roll down the driveway and into the new bay window which had just converted the garage to a dining room. Rich´s macho football personality emerged and he attempted to stop the car from rolling. His plan didn´t work. The good news was that none of the furniture was damaged. Rich only broke his foot which kept him out of football for the season. I was glad it was dark when Char and Arn arrived home so they didn´t see the damages until morning.



67th and Ogontz Ave. I can´t omit the story of the the parakeet that squawked RICHARD just as he was about to be into something he should not have been. Rich (at 2) stopped and was bewildered by how the bird, in another room, knew what he was about to do.



Annapolis. I lived in a glass house on the water in Annapolis. The trees were 90 feet high and lightening and thunder storms were incredible to watch. On one of your dad´s business trips to the Baltimore area he came to spend the night. I don´t think he minded that I woke him to watch the lightening show as it hit the water. But he did worry that one of the trees might come down on us.



Over time, I hope you find comfort knowing that your Dad loved you; he loved your spouses, he loved your children and your dogs. He was so proud of your accomplishments. And he loved sharing your adventures with us. Although family members don´t always see things the same way, it´s important to remind ourselves of all we shared and how much our similarities and differences made us who we are today.



I´m saddened for your loss. I´m proud that you have chosen to honor Rich´s end of life requests.

If you find yourselves in the Phila area, I hope you know we will welcome you with open arms.



May you find healing from the support you give each other. May you feel hugged. May the miles between us never stop us from loving and caring and remembering.

Memories...

Rich was like a second dad to me. Growing up, he treated me like his 4th daughter. His girls are my sisters-from-another-mister and are my absolute favorite people in this world. My heart hurts for their loss. I will always have a special place in my heart for Rich. Rest in peace big guy. -Kris

Rich was a big part of our lives when my Son, Trev, was growing up. He meant so much to Trev. A father figure. He gave and did a lot. We had some good times...traveling, dinners, holidays, boat rides! Thanks Rich. Till we meet again, enjoy paradise...

Mr Richard Harris gave me the strength to go and get genetic testing after I, too, had colon cancer at a young age. I was scared and wanted to keep my head in the sand. But he showed me another way, a way to be strong and brave for my children. I got the test and in the end it provided me with tremendous peace. I am forever grateful to him for showing me, by example, how to be empowered by knowledge and to not let fear run your life. Your words about how he made everyone feel special rang very true for me. May the sweet memories bring his family peace.

I was blessed to have had many hugs from this man who when he hugged you made you feel like everything was o.k. I remember him as a teenager always making Jamie and Alli's friends feel welcome and at home. I reunited with him with Jen made Aliyah and he visited here. It was so special for me to have someone from my childhood see me in Israel and see how much I have grown. I am one hundred percent sure he is looking at his kids and grandchildren and loving them, and will continue to watch over them.
I hope him and my dad are singing Neil Diamond songs and feeling the peace they are both at now.
Sending so much love to Jen, Jamie, and Alli

Our family met Grandpa Rich several times during his visits to Israel.

His smile was contagious, his bear hugs were like no other, and his adoration for his daughters and grandchildren was clear. Any mention of a child or grandchild of his, and his entire face lit up with love and pride.

He captured a room with his wit and smile, and entered your heart with his attention and warmth. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, and he is undoubtedly looking down with tremendous pride.

May his memory be a blessing.

One of the best parts of growing up was being a part of the Harris Family. I'd go there to escape and feel joy...I was an extended part of this clan. I was always treated like a daughter by Rich and there was always love and hugs. There's no doubt that Rich was my "spirit animal"...for we shared his mantra "only the good die young".

One of my favorite memories of Rich was when he hooked up the mini-van so Jenny and I could watch a movie..you see, we were traveling "all the way to Miami" lol.

Rich will always be in my heart and I know he is feeling all the love from you all.

Love-
Stacey (Bernstein) Sequeira

It's an amazing thing when you get the essence of a person from only meeting them properly once. Rich's smile reflected the man he was. Big-hearted, kind, with a zest for life. He can only be smiling down on his beautiful children and grandchildren whose legacy will leave such an impact on this world, in no small part due to the role model he was.