William A. Harris Jr.
October 4, 1945 ~ September 21, 2015
William A. Harris, Jr. passed away Monday Sept. 21, after a battle with cancer. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on October 4, 1945, a son of William A. Harris and Wilhelmine M. Harris. He attended Kents Hill School and graduated from Winthrop High School, Winthrop Me. He also graduated from The University of South Carolina, Columbia S.C. and the New York Institute of Finance, NY. He most recently was a member of the Adjunct Faculty at SMCC, So. Portland as an instructor of Events Management, Culinary Arts, Lodging Restaurant Management. He also served as Dining Room manager of The Woodlands Club, The Village Cafe, Black Point Inn, Reflections on the Bay, Miami, Fla., The Sea Grill, NY, and the Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He also was a New York Stock Exchange Registered Securities Trader. Bill also was very active with the Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland. In this capacity he visited many people at Maine Medical Center, various jails and prisons. By far Bills greatest work was with AA as he sponsored many people and took numerous others through The Steps. Bill was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his brother Bob and sister-in-law Jeanne Harris; sister Anne Harris Rourke and brother-in-law William Rourke, niece Suzanne Rourke, nephews Bill and Matt Harris; friends Tsetsu and Mika. Bills family wanted to thank his many friends and colleagues. His passing leaves a great void with everyone he touched. Also many thanks to the wonderful staff at Maine Medical Centers Gibson Wing, The Cedars Rehabilitation Unit and the many doctors and staff who helped him through his illness. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, September 29, from 8:30-10:00am at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, ME, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St., Portland, ME. To view Williams full obituary or to share an online condolence, please visit his memorial page at www.ctrawford.com In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.
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I was so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. He was an elegant gentleman with a beautiful smile. Godspeed, my friend.
– Susan Pettingill
If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane,We would walk right up to heaven to bring you home again;No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye,You were gone before we knew it and God knows only why.Our hearts still ache in sadness and secret tears still flow,What it meant to lose you, No One will ever know.Bill was so appreciative of anything you did for him, but it was a pleasure to help.No one could have a better friend.
– Jane Loveitt
We will miss Bill as he always made showing up at the Woodlands or the PYC fun experience with his smile, gracious manner and clever wit. Our condolences to Bill’s family and may he find peace on the next leg of his journey.
– The Coster Family
My prayers and sympathy to Bill’s family!Bill and I became friends when he was a Eucharistic Minister at the Maine Medical Center.I lost touch with Bill this past year and always intended to call him. How I wished I did as I was not aware that Bill was ill. He was such a busy man! Last week Bill was very much on my mind and I intended to call him only to learn that he died. I sincerely miss Bill!May God hold you in the Palm of His Hand, my friend!
– Sister Margaret A. Coyne
So sad to hear of your loss….I so enjoyed the times I was able to interact with him.. such a great sense of humor…Rest in peace…
– Cecelia Blake
Dear Bob & Anne and families,We are so saddened by this news. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Very truly yours,Joanne & Paul
– Joanne & Paul Fournier
Bill was a funny, kind, and delightful man. I was honored to have the opportunity to work with him. I am sending blessings to his family and dear friend, Alex.
– Jamie Jarvis, Cognitive Rehab Therapist, Cedars Rehab
A wonderful man. He was always a shining light. We were classmates at Winthrop High School. The last time I saw him was at Buddy T’s in Lewston in 2012 when we we were having a gathering to celebrate the life of another classmate. RIP Bill and that you for all you have done for others. Pat Moore McDevittFalmouth, Maine
– Pateicia Moore McDevitt
We will miss this class mate. May you RIP Bill.It shows the class needs to be closer than we are.To the family, so sorry for your loss.
– Doreen (Rogers) Crocker
I knew Bill from his days at The Woodlands, The Black Point Inn and The Portland Yacht Club. He was a kind, interesting man who was always a gentleman. It was my pleasure to have known such a fine person. I am sorry that I am out of state and will not be able to attend his service.
– Maura Carter
To Bill who showed me the “Way Out” in my darkest hour in the Spring of 2009, and then taught me how to live. – Bruce N-We found a way out-We gathered in the basement down the alley-Humble lost souls who stumbled in from the cold-But for the grace of God, there go I -We sat in metal chairs and we listened in a new way without judgment or pre conditions-And we shared our stories in the kinship of common suffering-And we learned that we did not have to die-We were released-And we learned how to live
– Bruce N
Bill graduated with me from Winthrop High School-such a nice guy and quite the sense of humor! Will miss you Bill sorry not to get together more often.
– Diane Foster Markowski
I will miss you, Bill.
– Maureen Williams
Sorry to have missed Bill’s Service! Bill was a very special person. He always greeted people with a warm smile. My connections were through the Woodlands where he was “the best” Maitre De ! He always remembered names and was sincerely interested in our family! As a long term volunteer @MMC, I was happily surprised to re-connect with him in his capacity as visiting Lay Clergyman. As head of the dining Room at the Portland Yacht Club he was special, exhibiting his signature warmth and professionalism! My thoughts and prayers to the family of a true humanitarian and wonderful person! Hope Bramhall
– Hope P. Bramhall
Bill , I missed seeing you at Church. You were a faithful servant. I know you are at peace. Until we meet again, God Bless your soul.
– Mary Gleason,