James Garfield Harris

James Garfield Harris
HERMON - James Garfield Harris, 64, beloved husband and father, died Dec. 7, 2010, at a Bangor hospital, after a battle with pancreatitis and adenocarcinoma. He was born June 20, 1946, at Stinson Hospital, Bangor, son of Ernest Harris Sr., Ainee (Stimpson) Harris Freeman and Alvah Freeman. Jim worked hard and played hard. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, camping, good times with friends, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities. He had many other interests too, including woodworking and cooking. Jim served six years in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, earning the rank of specialist four. He worked several small jobs, but most of his career was with the Bangor Daily News. Jim was a journeyman printer there, having started as a linotype machinist in the composing room, where he eventually served as foreman and retiring as a pressman after 41 years with the company. Jim spent as much time as he could every summer at his camper at Long Lake Camping Area, Sinclair, which he especially enjoyed after he retired. Jim had many friends, and many special friends he folded into his family circle, including Terry Farren of Bangor, Ed and Judy Siering of Woodland, and Denice Carsley and Sheela Armistead of Virginia. He was very outgoing and could strike up conversations with anyone anywhere. He had no problems voicing his opinion about a topic and held nothing back. As Jim always said, "I am who I am." Jim attended All Souls Congregational Church, Bangor. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3177, Brewer, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 244, Bangor, and Central Maine Brittany Club. Jim is survived by his wife, Julie (Murchison) Harris of Hermon; a daughter, Cheryl A. Harris of Bangor; his first wife, Barbara J. Harris of Bangor; several nieces and nephews, including Jessica Henderson of Bangor, Larry and his wife, Diane Clark, of Palermo, Linda Hutchins of Old Town, Anthony Harris, Sherry Dubay, Michael Harris, Bonnie Solivan, Daniel Harris, Diane Harris and Ainee Holmes, all of Connecticut, Debbie Fontaine and Ernest Harris, both of Florida, Michelle Henderson of Lincoln, and Serena Sheen of Massachusetts; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jane and Charles Veeder of Orono; sisters-in-law, Katrina and her husband, Matt Reiling, of Norwood, Mass., and Kirstin and her husband, Dr. Volney Sheen, of Wellesley, Mass.; and several cousins. He was predeceased by a son, Richard J. Harris; a sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Herbert Clark; a brother, Ernest Harris Jr.; and his parents. Jim also will be sorely missed by his two brittanys, Sassy and Bullet. He was very proud of their accomplishments in field events, and Sassy's in flyball and Bullet's in the show ring. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. James L. Haddix, pastor and teacher, officiating. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Jim in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Bangor Humane Society, 693B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
Published in Bangor Daily News on December 9, 2010