Robert A. Harris
October 31, 1932 ~ August 1, 2015
SOUTH PORTLAND Mr. Robert A. Bob Harris, 82, a longtime fixture in Greater Portland Funeral Service, died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 1, 2015. He was doing what he loved; attending to a bereaved family. Born in Portland on October 31, 1932, Bob was the son of the late Eldred and June (McLaughlin) Harris. At the age of 17, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force and honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict. Affectionately known as Mr. Funeral, Bob began his work in Funeral Service in 1958 with the former Hay and Peabody Funeral Home. It was there where he learned the profession and also worked on the ambulance service. Following his work at Hay and Peabody, he was employed with Jones, Rich, and Hutchins Funeral Home from 1989 until 2005. Bob was employed by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes beginning in 2005. With Conroy-Tully Crawford, Bob worked nearly every funeral service that took place over the last 10 years. He always made himself available to help grieving families, and he took pride in what he did. He mentored many young funeral service professionals as they began their careers, and he went above and beyond to exceed families expectations. He was very well respected and admired by the Conroy-Tully Crawford Family, as well as the entire funeral service community. He had a strong dedication to funeral service until the very end. In addition to his love and passion for his work, Bob was a Head Quartermaster of the 5th Maine Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He was an artist and a calligrapher. He enjoyed jitterbug dancing, spending time at the movies, eating out, visiting his family and friends, and long bicycle rides. In his later years, Bob stuck to his routine. After grabbing a coffee and the paper at McDonalds, he would often work a funeral in the morning, and then enjoy a lunch followed by a long walk at Bug Light, which he referred to as his living room. He was a very well-liked and respected man who will be deeply missed by family and friends. He was predeceased by his infant daughter, Robyn Lynn Harris, and former wife, Jane Wright Harris. Bob is survived by his children, Philip Scott Harris of Yarmouth, Robert Leigh Harris of Saco, Gregory Dean Harris of Naples, Liza Dalfonso and husband Peter of Gorham. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Ziegelmayer of Oregon; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and very close friend, Justin Swift. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday from 4-7PM at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. His Funeral Service will be held Friday at 10AM at the Funeral Home with Rev. Philip Shearman officiating. Military Honors will follow at Bug Light Park, South Portland. Burial will be private. To view Bobs memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, 51 U.S. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
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working together and being friends I will always remember Bob good friend rest in peace.
– ralph amoroso
I will miss you on the bench at Bug Light forever,your freind,Jack
– Jack Fernandes
Bob was a true “gem” of a man, professional and most of all a genuine friend. We worked together professionally for many years never once having a bad word to each other. Rest in peace my good friend. I will miss you and you will be missed!Dave Jones
– Dave Jones
I met Bob about 20 years ago or more working in funeral service. Right away I spotted him as a true gentleman. He was from the Old School folks in funeral service. They worked by a code of conduct that goes something like this “Service Above Self” You don’t see that very much in funeral service anymore. Bob always had an exceptionally warm greeting for me no matter how good or bad his day might be going. He set the bar high and left a trail in funeral service for the others of us to follow. A true example how how we should serve the families and the deceased loved ones entrusted into our care. Funeral service in Maine is a little less than what it was now for having lost him. Bob was a U.S. Marine ,and having been one myself with a son that is still an active Marine, I have but one thing left to say “Sempter Fi” Bob Harris. For those that know what that means know you truly were! Friend-Hugh H. LeMaster Licensed Maine Funeral Director Knowlton Hewins Roberts Funeral Home and Memorlist For Collette Monuments, Inc.
– Hugh H. LeMaster
It is with a heavy heart that we just learned of Bobbie passing away. He was a great man and we enjoyed his company many times at our home in Jay. We are sure that he is in a much better place and with his family that has gone before him. Rest in peace Bobn and we will see you on the other side.
– Terry & Julia Belanger
a great friend. will miss having coffee with you in the afternoon. rest in peace, we will meet later. bill
– bill strube
Cousin Bobby, you will be missed. The Bourkes out here in California have very fond memories of you. I enjoyed spending time with you and my Uncle John during my last visit to Maine. Your smile and laugh and great personality will always be alive with us. Thank you for being you, one great guy.
– Robert Bourke
Reconnected with Bob 6 years ago when I joined the CTC family. it was a pleasure to work with a man who remembered my father from Community Oil days, my mother the church organist at Sacred Heart, my aunt Alice from H & P connections, and the day my twins were born as he was working with their dad at H & P in those days. You don’t need that most up to date schedule now Bob. Rest peacefully.
– Mary L. Chick
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was a great man and professional. I will never forget the way he treated my family when my mother and brother passed with compassion and love. RIP Mr Harris.
– Karen Jensen Hartman
Bob mentored me in my early years in funeral service at Hay and Peabody. I remember how he was patient and kind in all my efforts. Rest in peace my friend.
– Marc R. Bolduc
Sincere condolences to all of the Harris family. You can tell I am an old friend because I still call him Bobby. I grew up living next door to he and his sister, Judy, and then across the street on Brookside Ave. I ran into him at funerals now and then, walking at the Mall, and finally a little while ago at Calvary Cemetery. He was always friendly and nice.
– Anne Foley Noyes
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I was fortunate to work with Bob while I was at Portland City Hall City Clerk’s office, and always found him pleasant, professional and always with a kind word. Rest easy Bob.
– Jeannie Allen
Although our time working together was brief, Bob taught me that no detail was too small, no effort too great when you are working with families dealing with the loss of a loved one. He could – and did – tell me stories about how his years of service in the funeral industry made him a better person. I can honestly say, Bob made me a better person as well. I hope they have Chicago Hot Dogs in heaven! Rest in Peace.
– John Hennessy
Thank you for your service.
– a friend
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob’s family. Bob was a true professional and will be missed by his friends in funeral service and the families he has served.Arthur Meader
– Arthur Meader & Staff (Meader & Son Funeral Home, Rumford, ME)
I always enjoyed working with Bob during my years at CTC. He was a great man, and will be missed. Rest in peace Bob.
– Randy Ouellette
What sad news. I will miss seeing and talking with Bob at T-Ledge. Always with a friendly wave or greeting, Bob was friendly, kind and a wonderful neighbor.
– Nancy Bloch
As a colleague of Bob’s from Conroy- Tully Crawford Funeral Home, I had so much respect for who he was as a person. I really miss seeing his smile!! If a flower blossom was left behind in the hearse after a funeral, he would put it in a coffee cup and leave it on my desk. (He knew how much I loved flowers!) I know he loved to walk and I love to hike so we shared stories of our walks on a regular basis. What a gentleman and a friend… It is hard to believe he won’t be driving by in his blue car and stopping to see what project I am working on . I know he is walking the trails @ Bug Light right now!!
– Judy Johnson
My friend , I will miss you very much.
– Michael Murphy
Our afternoon trips to the Bug Light Livingroom will never be the same ! I will miss our conversations until we meet again my friend. nice knowing you POPS rest in peace !
– Michael and Noreen Savage