Robert A. Harris

Robert A. Harris (Bob) was born on March 25, 1923 and died on November 14, 2014 peacefully in his sleep at his daughter's home on Rochester Rd. in Northwood, NH. He lived a long and happy life. He was 91 years old. For the last few years of his life, he bravely fought cancer. Although he suffered many setbacks in his battle, he dealt with it with humor, wit and a constant and amazing positive attitude. His strength and common sense outlook on life made him someone whose opinion you could always count on and trust. He was happily married for almost 50 years to the love of his life, Anne (Bagley) Harris from Chelsea, MA, who predeceased him in 1998. Mr. Harris was originally from Medford, MA, but moved to Wakefield, MA, with his wife and young family back in the 1950's. They lived there for almost 25 years until they became snowbirds residing in Clearwater and then St. Petersburg, FL. They continued to come back to New England to spend the summers enjoying New Hampshire at their daughter's home. A few years ago, due to his failing health, he permanently moved to NH. He was a proud American and served his country during WW2. He didn't speak much about his past, but when he did; his family listened intently and were humbled by his unpretentiousness. He worked for many years at MIT, Lincoln Labs, in Lexington, MA, as a painter/maintenance worker until his retirement when he was in his late 50's. He also worked on weekends doing numerous odd jobs throughout the years to support his family. His hobbies included traveling with his family and later on in life, with his wife. As a younger man, he also enjoyed golf, gardening and working on projects. He was a skilled handyman and could fix anything. He was a true Yankee, a do-it-yourselfer and believed in the value of hard work. Some of his more inventive projects would still bring a hearty chuckle to him when the subject was brought up such as his 1970's industrial-green camper that looked more like an oversized dog house and most recently his spray-in foam insulation side view mirror repair. In his later years, he enjoyed shooting guns, reading, Sudoku, his favorite television shows, Papa Ginos, and watching sports, especially the Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins. He also prided himself on keeping his daughter's yard neatly mowed on his John Deere up until a few days before his passing. He was self-sufficient to the end, in a separate living area, doing his own cooking, laundry, cleaning, food shopping and driving. He hardly ever asked for help and prided himself on being independent. He was a great man and his children and grandchildren are proud to have had him as a mentor and role model and someone they could always rely on. They are honored to have had him in their lives. No one could ever fill his shoes. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Harris of Northwood, his son, Robert Harris Jr. and his wife Sandra Harris of Utah and his son, Francis McLaughlin and his wife Nancy Smith of Norwood, MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Travis Saunders and Shane Saunders, both of Strafford, NH, Karen (McLaughin) Cormier of Leominster, MA, Francis McLaughlin Jr. of Fitchburg, MA, Matthew McLaughlin of Lowell, MA, Michelle McLaughlin of NYC, Andrew McLaughlin of Norwood, MA, Ashley McLaughlin, currently living in Australia; his great granddaughter, Nicole McLaughlin and his great-great grandson, Dante Guzman, both of Leominster, MA. His family will celebrate this special man's life at a private graveside service in the spring at Pine Grove Cemetery in Northwood, where he'll be laid to rest with military honors beside his beloved wife. He was an extraordinarily kind, intelligent, gentle man who loved life. He will be greatly missed. To sign an online guestbook please visit www.edgerlyfh.com.

Robert A. Harris

March 25, 1923 - November 14, 2014