Celebration of life on Friday for Joseph C. Harris, 1940-2016

Family and friends will gather this Friday to celebrate the life of Joseph C. Harris. Here’s the remembrance that’s being shared today:

Joseph Claude Harris, age 75, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 16th. He is survived by his wife Sue, his children Sean (Courtney Harris-Campf), Colleen, Becky (RJ Masters), Marianne (Patrick McGah), and CJ, 5 granddaughters, and his brother, John Harris.

Joe was born and raised in West Seattle, attended Holy Rosary School, O’Dea High School, and Maryknoll Seminary. He later earned an MBA from City University. Joe and Sue met through their work with the CYO Summer Camps and after their wedding they lived as the caretakers at Camp Cabrini.

Joe was a proud father to his five children, often driving kids around the city for activities, teaching them to play cribbage, and supporting them in their endeavors. He devoted many years of service to the Catholic Church in parish ministry, school and parish finances, and researching demographics of the Church around the country. Joe was a regular volunteer at Holy Rosary, suggesting that Fr. Mallahan start the endowment fund, serving on various committees, and helping with the plans for Lanigan Gym. Joe loved running, biking, hiking, and playing basketball. He will be greatly missed.

The celebration of his life will be at Holy Rosary Church on Friday, April 22nd at 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fr. Mallahan Endowment Fund at Holy Rosary School.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

4 Replies to "Celebration of life on Friday for Joseph C. Harris, 1940-2016"

  • Gloria April 20, 2016 (9:40 am)

    Dear Sue,

    I’m sorry for your loss.  I loved seeing Joe’s smile.  He will be missed.  Your family is in our prayers.

  • Diane April 20, 2016 (11:47 am)

    Joe did do much for his family and his community.  He will be missed….

  • Fred McCarthy April 21, 2016 (10:14 pm)

    Dear Sue and Family,

    If there was a marriage made in CYO heaven it was yours. Joe was such a caring person and so patient and generous with his talents and gifts. I think of the Nanamakee song: “May I  go a wandering until the day I die and may I always laugh and sing beneath God’s clear blue sky!” My favorite counselor in 1958 greeting us as we sat on the curb in the Odea parking lot to go to Bosco. Sharing his knowledge of finance with me in 2000 at Saint Benedict School. I’m teaching a class in Everett Friday night and Saturday. My spirit is with you and thanking you for the friendship of your husband and father. Peace by with you. A life well lived by a loving man.

    love,

    Fred

  • Mike & Norma Brown April 24, 2016 (8:17 pm)

    Norma and I send our condolences to you, Pepe, and to your
    family. We are all deeply saddened by Joe’s passing. We knew Joe through CYO
    Summer Camps, first, as my (Mike’s) lodge leader at Camp Blanchet in 1959. Joe
    had a natural talent for dealing with adolescents, and there was quite a crew
    of us, including Mike Polyblank, Don Thorp, and Jim Murray. Joe looked and
    acted older than his 19 years (I thought he was 30!). He took an interest in
    me, and I (like many others) looked up to him and wanted to be like him. Later,
    as a staff member in the 1960s, I had occasion to work with Joe on several
    projects, including rebuilding the Sylvan Theatre, a fairly large, outdoor seating
    complex at Camp Don Bosco. He was “handy”, skilled, a hard worker, and a quiet
    but effective leader. He was also just a damned good person—unassuming, straightforward,
    down-to-earth, reliable, caring, patient, bright, and with a good sense of
    humor. In 1965 Joe helped save my life, and that of another CYO staff member,
    Paul Hirsch. Paul and I had become trapped under a collapsing house that we
    were trying to move. Joe, along with Ken Van Dyke, immediately rigged a lever
    and fulcrum from building materials and raised the house enough for Paul and I
    to escape.  One other thing about Joe,
    that probably you already know.  During
    the 60s, Joe did a lot of volunteer work at camp, mainly work crew.  When Joe was in camp, there was no question
    that he was Gordie Hamilton’s right-hand man. 
    He directed several projects, and kept the rest of us “apprentices” in
    line.  Joe was a legend at camp.  He touched the lives of those who worked with
    him.  He will be missed!

    Our Best Wishes and Condolences,

    Mike & Norma Brown

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