Dr. Harold E. Harris Jr. September 19, 1938 – February 19, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card It is with sadness that the family of Harold E. Harris Jr. MD (Hal) announces his passing on February 19, 2019. Hal was born on September 19, 1938 in Cleveland, OH to the late Harold E. and Tracie (Faltis) Harris. He is survived by his wife, June (Micka) for almost 56 years, his children Susan Conover (Paul) of Barrington, IL, Sandra Harris (John Akbari) of New York City and Carol Harris of Boston and grandchildren, Catherine and Matthew Conover, Sabina Stevens, and a sister, Nancy Hendrikson (Ronald) of Oberlin, OH.
Hal was raised in Shaker Heights, OH and graduated from Shaker Heights High School. He then continued onto Dartmouth College class of 1960 and earned a medical degree from Northwestern University School of Medicine in 1964. He trained at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH under his father, Dr. Harold E. Harris, for both internship and fellowship in the specialty of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery from 1964 to 1969.
In 1969, he was drafted to service at Westover Airforce Base in Chicopee and moved his family to Massachusetts. He and his family loved the beauty and community of western Massachusetts and decided to remain in South Hadley after his service commitment ended. Dr. Harris then established a private practice in Otolaryngology at Holyoke Hospital.
He remained there for over 30 years and served as President of Medical Staff for several years. Hal was a member of the First Congregational Church in South Hadley and sang in the choir for over 30 years. He also participated in the South Hadley Chorale.
After his retirement in 1999, he had many interests that kept him busy and rewarded. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, trains, music, bridge and was also a docent serving the Mt. Holyoke College Art Museum.
He was a volunteer on the Sycamores Restoration Committee and continued to serve as Treasurer. He also was a member of the Holyoke Rotary Club and the ‘39ers. His greatest passion of all was the time he spent on Martha’s Vineyard.
He loved the continuous repair and rehab that went with a century-old home. Most of all, Hal cherished the time with his family. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the First Congregational Church, South Hadley at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church of South Hadley, Holyoke Medical Center or the Sycamores & Rawson House of South Hadley. Curran-O’Brien Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. For more details please go to curranobrien.com.
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