Patrick James Harris, retired firefighter
Patrick James Harris, 78, of Rehoboth Beach (formerly of Pearl River and East Hampton, N.Y.), was at home surrounded by his wife and children when he left this earth Monday, March 27, 2017. Pat was born Oct. 11, 1938, in the Bronx, N.Y., son of the late Patrick J. and Mary Stewart Harris.
Pat was affectionately known by family and friends as "Big Pat" and the "Irish Tank." Throughout Pat's life he overcame many medical challenges, but the "Tank" always managed to prevail. We are happy he is at peace now.
Pat grew up in the Bronx. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School where he loved to play basketball, and after graduation served briefly in the U.S. Army. In the late 1950s, Pat met Anne Callinan, and they were married in St. Benedict's Church, Throgs Neck, N.Y., Nov. 19, 1960. In April 1963, he started his journey with the New York City Fire Department, and remained a firefighter until his retirement in August 1988.
His second full-time job had the title of "Father." Pat was very involved in all of his kids' activities and was extremely proud of and played a key role in all of their successes. He spent most of his days off shuffling between all of the kids' various sporting events with his camcorder by his side.
Pat also had a side business laying carpets; he was rarely idle. "Big Pat" put out many fires both on the job and at home, never wanting for himself. He loved all sports, reading the Daily News and doing the word jumble. He would often call one of his kids when he was stumped on a word. Pat always had a dollar in his pocket and a piece of Freshen Up gum. He will be missed.
In addition to his parents, Pat was preceded in death by his sisters, Betty and Josephine. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Anne (Callinan) Harris; his six children: Kathleen Mooney (Greg) of Pearl River, N.Y., Patrick Harris Jr. (Eileen) of Millsboro, Debbie Haughney (Bob) of Ridgefield, Conn., Timmy Harris (Trish) of Blauvelt, N.Y., Susan Hodgens (Drew) of Radnor, Pa., and Anne Morrissey (Joe) of Rehoboth Beach; his 18 loving grandchildren: Gregory, Courntey, Maggie, Jessie, Ashley, Paula, Sarah, Emily, Thomas, Annie, Tara, Kate, Kelly, Austin, Brendan, Erin, Declan, and Kieran; his brother, John Harris (Agnes) of East Hampton, N.Y.; brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, family friends, and his dog pal, Molly, whom he liked to spoil with table snacks.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, April 1, at St. Aedan's Church, 23 South Reld Dr., Pearl River, NY. Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 31, at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main St., New City, N.Y. Burial will be private. Arrangements also handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Pat's memory to the Molly Tango Memorial Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with special needs and their families: P.O. Box 15, Ridgefield, CT, 06877, or www.mollytango.org.
