HARRIS B. SOUTHARD

BANGOR and BASS HARBOR – Harris B. Southard, 85, died Dec. 10, 2004, at a Bangor nursing facility. He was born July 28, 1919 in Riverhead, Long Island, N.Y., the son of Ernest and Christine (Harris) Southard). He lived in Kentucky until he was 12 and then moved to Bangor in 1931. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Bangor High School, Class of 1937 and attended Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston and the University of Maine. He joined the Army National Guard at the age of 15 and while at UMO was called up after the Pearl Harbor invasion and served four years in the Army during World War II. He met Catherine Roughton, married her in 1945 and moved back to Bangor. His love of music started at the age of three while watching John Phillips Sousa. When he was 17, he played at Norumbega Hall in Bangor. He played in several bands including The Bangor Band for 70 years, Bangor Symphony from 1935 until 1985, and served as president; German Band, Dixieland Band, “the Paul Monaghan” Dance Band in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard Band, and the University Symphony. He was a member of All Souls Congregational Church, Head Deacon Emeritus and taught Sunday School for seven years. Harris was a member of St. Andrew’s Lodge, No. 83 AF & AM of Bangor, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Bangor, Maine Consistory 32nd Degree, and member of Anah Shrine. He was also a member of Bangor Rotary Club and the Bangor and Tremont Historical Societies. Harris was owner and operator of Southard’s of Bangor from 1946 to 1988, which his father started as a cash register business in the early ’30s. He was a hard working and respected businessman who believed in giving the best service possible. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. Harris had a very active life. He enjoyed dancing, traveling, playing in various bands and spending time with family. He was interested in current events and even voted in the 2004 election. He last played in a band in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Helen Tupper-Southard of Bass Harbor; two daughters, Nancy and her husband, Dr. Dale Walker, of Orono, Susan and her husband, Robert Fortier, of Bangor; three granddaughters, Kathryn and her husband, Evan Geoffrey, of New York City, Marianne Fortier and Drew Dunning of Bangor, and Lindsey Walker of Orono; three stepchildren, Jonathan Tupper and his wife, Ramona Westbrook, and Stephen Tupper and his wife, Geneva, of Searsport, Andrea Tupper and Stephen Zeigler of Lakeland, Fla.; six stepgrandchildren, Jonathan and Jason Tupper, Shawna Halliday, and Andrew Tupper, Daniel Walker and Carolyn Walker; three great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Maytha Southard; two brothers-in-law, Edgar Roughton and his wife, Jean, and Thomas Marr and his wife, Sharon; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine, in 1988, and one brother, Richard Southard. He always remembered his faithful good friends and employees; Vern Veino, the late Leroy Brown, and the percussion unit of the Bangor Band; Bill Miller, Buddy Chappelle, the late Harold Burrill, and the rest of the band. A special thanks to the staff at Maine Veterans Home for their extraordinary love and care. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor with the Rev. Dr. James L. Haddix, pastor and teacher, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Parish Hall following the services. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Gifts in his memory may be sent to Bangor Band, care of Treasurer Dick Starke, 647 Main Street, Bangor Parks and Rec., Bangor, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor.