Obituary of Gene W. Harris

Gene Harris of Endicott, NY died on February 1, 2021. Gene was born on September 30, 1927, son of the late Walter and Claris (Barnum) Harris. Gene was the loving husband of the late Irene Harris for 65 years. He was a beloved father to Penny Hurley and her late husband Buster of Palm City, FL, Joseph Harris of Arcadia, CA, and Kevin Harris and his wife Rebecca Pires of New Bedford, MA. He was a loving brother to Gail (Harris) Johnson and her husband Mark of Bennettsville, SC and the late Charles Harris and his wife Elizabeth of Brandon, FL. Gene was especially proud of his three grandchildren, Michael Harris of Bloomington, MN, Leah Harris of Pleasantville, NY, and Jonathan Harris of New Bedford, MA. Gene attended Union Endicott High School, enjoyed participating in school sports, fishing, and was a proud United States Army Veteran. Gene was a true hometown boy, and enjoyed sharing many tales of growing up and living on Main Street in Endicott in the shadow of Round Top. His stories often included UEHS football stories about his late brother Charles Harris, of whom he was very proud. As a husband and father, Gene loved his home on Cafferty Hill and took great pride in the park-like property that he and Irene created from barren, rocky soil. They worked together to provide a beautiful home and garden that we all enjoyed for many years. In his later years, Gene drove a school bus for the Endicott school system and enjoyed the youthful energy that the children shared with him on his daily route. He will be dearly missed… Our family is grateful for our many kind friends, including our Cafferty Hill neighbors, who provided aid and comfort to Gene and Irene over the last decade. Gene and Irene could not have enjoyed these last years in their home without you all. Special thanks to the outstanding staff at Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal N.Y. We are especially grateful for the friendship and patience you showed Gene as he was isolated from family and friends during the Covid lockdown. Your gentle care of Dad through his passage was appreciated more than you know. Donations in his memory to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.