Frederick Joseph "Fred" Harris

11/25/1944 - 10/24/2025

Mystic - Frederick Joseph Harris of Mystic, passed Oct. 24, 2025. "Fred" was born Nov. 25, 1944 at Framingham Union Hospital to Frederick Everett and Maryrosa Camilla Harris.

Fred was a proud patriot who loved his country. Upon graduating from his alma mater Maine Maritime Academy in 1967, Fred received a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserves. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Fred served on the SS Transglobe, the most decorated ship in the U.S. Merchant Marine fleet in that conflict.

Fred went on to work for most of his career for General Dynamics, guarding the nation's security by pouring his heart and soul into design and construction of the nation's submarine fleet. Beginning at General Dynamics-Electric Boat as an engineer, he moved up into management, eventually going on to serve as president for General Dynamics–NASSCO and for General Dynamics–Bath Iron Works.

Fred was a devoted Roman Catholic who upheld a lifelong devotion to the Rosary and was an active member of multiple parishes as his travels took him. Fred was a high school and university football standout, as well as an avid shooter, card player, amateur historian, scouting leader, craftsman and unrepentant trickster. Serving as assistant scoutmaster to Boy Scout Troop 42, Fred led numerous fundraising drives to ensure every boy in the troop that wanted to attend summer camp would be able to regardless of ability to pay. Fred was also extremely active in charity work, donating extensive time, money and other resources to not only scouting but also the United Way, the American Red Cross and the American Heart association, the American Lupus foundation and many other worthy causes.

Fred is survived by his wife Peggy; his daughter Meghan and her husband Rick LaFlamme and Meghan's grandson Ziah Camacho; Fred's son Teddy, Teddy's wife Meghan and their two daughters, Jillian and Allison. Fred is also survived by his sister Elaine Larson; his brother Albert Harris and Albert's wife Donna; his brother-in-law David Foley and David's wife Martha; his niece Kim McGee; and his nephews, Doug Larson and Michael Foley; as well as many other beloved family members, friends and colleagues. Fred is predeceased by his father Fred; his mother Maryrosa; his brother-in-law Glenn (Elaine's late husband); and Rick's daughter Nichole Laflamme.

It is impossible to summarize the life of Fred in a few paragraphs. He was a truly larger-than-life persona who will be dearly missed by all who had the great good fortune to cross his path.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1, in Mystic. Additional services for Fred will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, in Hopkinton, Mass. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton, Mass. Interment will follow the Mass at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, 24 Mayhew Street, in Hopkinton, Mass.

"His Master replied, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant!. . . .Come, share your Master's joy." Matt. 25:23