ELLSWORTH – Harris G. Strong, 86, died Oct. 8, 2006, at his home. He was born July 6, 1920, in Waukesha, Wis., the son of Albert and Bertha Strong. During World War II he served in the Army as a cryptographer in the Pacific. After being discharged, he graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in chemical engineering. Later he studied ceramic art at New York University. Always a hard worker, Harry owned his first business, a bicycle shop, when he was 14. His aunt, Henrietta “Brownie” Strong, an artist who owned her own greeting card company, inspired him to be an artist, but also to be practical about the need to earn a living. After several jobs and starting a company called the Potters of Wall Street, he and his wife, Rosyln founded Harris G. Strong, Inc., in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1950. Through innovative design and serendipity, he soon found success with decorated ceramic tiles and the company grew. Today his ceramic pieces from the 1950s and 60s have become collectible and Harry took pleasure in the appreciation his work is receiving. In 1970, Harris moved his family and business to Hancock County. They built a factory in Trenton, but a fire destroyed all the glaze formulas Harry had developed for more than 20 years. He decided to concentrate on the other forms of wall decor the business produced: prints, serigraphs, woodcuts, etchings, engravings, collage and paintings. Though his work was always primary, Harry had other interests as well. He was pivotal in the purchase of The Grand theater and in starting the Hancock County Auditorium, where he sang and acted in many plays and Gilbert and Sullivan productions. He was passionate about stamp collecting. At home, he loved cooking and gardening; for years he played bridge weekly and was active in Rotary. He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Matthew and Peggy of Ellsworth and Andre and Marjorie Kernan of Penobscot; and a special niece, Stacy Olson of Waukesha, Wis. He had two brothers, Mike and Bernarr “Nardy”; and two half sisters, Bernadette “Bernie” and Hazel, who were very dear to him. A celebration of Harry’s life will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, Ellsworth. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to an endowment Harry started for The Grand, 165 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605.
HARRIS G. STRONG
