ANDOVER, Mass. – Lester Eugene Harris, 75, of Andover, Mass., died Jan. 26, 2005, at home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Harris was born in Millinocket, to the late Albert I. and Marian (Russell) Harris. Mr. Harris graduated from Stearns High School, Millinocket, in 1947, as salutatorian. He went on to earn an electrical engineering degree from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1951. His love for the state of Maine and the Millinocket area brought him back for family vacations almost every year since then, and his love of the mountain led him to climb to Baxter Peak approximately 40 times. He enjoyed fishing, boating and canoeing all around Millinocket Lake. He was a member of the I.E.E.E. Engineering Association and worked for Sylvania Electric in Buffalo, N.Y., until moving to Andover in 1967. In Massachusetts, Les worked for and retired from Avco (Textron). He later worked as a consultant for Dynamics Research Corporation at Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, Mass. He was an active member of the Free Christian Church, Andover, at which a Memorial Service was held back in February. Les coached youth basketball when his son played, and he played basketball himself through groups at work, well into his 50’s. He also enjoyed coaching Little League baseball in Andover and serving as advisor for the Twilight Twirlers Teen Square Dance Club. He was an avid square dancer himself, dancing for over 20 years, many with the Rocketeers Square Dance Club in Andover. Mr. Harris was the beloved husband of Joyce (McIntosh) Harris of Andover, loving father of Gwen M.H. Bailey of Stoughton, Mass., Cheryl J.H. Newton of Randolph, Mass. and Eugene R. Harris of Groton, Mass., devoted grandfather to Richard and Shawn Bailey, Ian and Evan Newton, and Zoe Harris. He was the cherished brother of Dorothy Pratt of Orono, Marian Comstock of Millinocket, Ralph E. Harris of Olympia, Wash. and twin sister, Lucille Vaas of Ashland, Ohio. Les was also the loving uncle to 10 nieces and nephews. A burial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Millinocket Cemetery, Medway Road in Millinocket. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in loving memory of Les Harris to either Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843; Free Christian Church, 31 Elm Street, Andover, MA 01810, or to the Parkinson’s Support Group, care of the Andover Senior Center, 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA 01810.
LESTER EUGENE HARRIS
