SKOWHEGAN – Philip Newman Harris, 87, died at Jan. 7, 2011, at a Bangor hospital. Born Feb. 27, 1923, in Old Town, he was the son of Frank E. and Sybil M. (Vincent) Harris. He was a graduate of Old Town High School, served in the U.S. Coast Guard and graduated from Husson College and the University of Maine. He was married to Ruth E. Getchell for 57 years. They made their home in Brewer, then in Madison and Skowhegan, where he taught and coached until 1960. He then became the principal at Williams High School, Oakland, for three years and returned to Skowhegan as assistant principal and principal until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of State Principals Association, National Education Association and Maine Teachers Association, was past president of Kennebec Valley Athletic Association and a member of Euclid Lodge of Masons, Madison. He is survived by three daughters, Gretchen Ramsay and husband, Scott, of York Harbor and Bonita Springs, Fla., Jackie Stoutamyer and husband, Frank, of South Paris and Becky Vaillancourt and husband, Dick, of Brunswick; eight grandchildren, Todd Stoutamyer and wife, Sheila, of Illinois, Jill Houghton and husband, Lonnie, of Gorham, Alison Heath and husband, Chad, of California, Rachael Duffy and husband, Don, of South Portland, Jeffrey Ramsay of California, Libby Hunt and husband, Kevin, of Harpswell, Alan Vaillancourt of South Portland and Steve Vaillancourt of Topsham; 12 great-grandchildren, Ryan and Ross Stoutamyer, Cole and Cady Houghton, Riley, Braden, Daphne Heath, Julia, Colin and Maeve Duffy and Mason and Hannah Hunt; a sister, Barbara Hatch of New York; a brother, Bill Harris of Arizona and Oregon; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Ruth; sisters, Cora Burrows, Kate Dow, Marjorie Baynard and Lois White; and brothers Roy, Frank, Charlie, Robert and Pat. Viewing hours will be held 4-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A private funeral service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Philip N. and Ruth E. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Skowhegan Area High School, 140 Academy Circle, Skowhegan, ME 04976, attention: Jane Bigelow. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. <>
PHILIP NEWMAN HARRIS
