An UNCOMMON man
STANDISH- Howard Frank Harris died at home Sunday August 13th, after a lengthy period of de-clining health. He was born April 3, 1923, in New York City, to Frank W. Harris and Grace (Barg) Har-ris. He attended the Lincoln School of Columbia University from elementary through high school, then Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. His college years were interrupted by three and a half years’ ser-vice in the Army during World War II, with graduation in June, 1948. To make up a lost semester, he had spent the summer of 1947 at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, his first introduction to Maine and, as it happened, to the girl who would become his wife two years later, Judith Sturtevant.
Upon graduation, he joined the Public Relations Department of General Foods Corp. for several years, then the Grocery Manufacturers of America as Director of Public Information. In 1958 he joined the Corn Products Refining Company (later renamed CPC International) as it’s first Director of Public Re-lations. In 1970 he was elected Vice-President, Public Affairs, with responsibility for public and gov-ernment affairs, as well as investor relations, all of which involved extensive travel in Europe, Central and South America and South Africa. In his words, he also “wrote a lot of speeches, and gave away a lot of the Company’s money” to worthy charities. He was active in the United Way and other commu-nity activities while the family lived in Ridgewood, New Jersey, as well as a number of business and professional associations. Upon retirement, in 1988, he was commissioned to write a recent histo-ry of the Company; after completing it, he yearned for the quiet life of the family’s lakeside home in Maine.
Unable to relax completely, Howard joined the Kiwanis Club in Standish, SCORE in Portland for a bit (hated the commute), OLLI at USM, served as Deacon of the Standish Congregational Church, sup-ported wholeheartedly the Watchic Lake Association, and the Portland Symphony as long as he was able.
A lifelong baseball fan, especially of the New York Giants, his boyhood hero was Mel Ott, the Louisi-ana youngster who joined that team at 16 and spent his entire career there, becoming Manager and Hall of Famer. It was Mel Ott about whom Leo Durocher (of the Brooklyn Dodgers) uttered his fa-mous sneer “Nice guys don’t win ball games” (misquoted as” Nice guys finish last”). Offended by this epithet, Howard started a movement in honor of Nice Guys, which became UNCOMMON, the acro-nym for UNited Citizens Observing the Memory of Mel Ott’s Name, celebrated annually on Mel’s birthday, March 2nd. Membership has but two requirements: 1) be a nice guy (or girl) in your daily life; 2) fly the American flag on that date in honor of Nice Guys everywhere. The family hopes this tradition will continue, as Nice Guys have your work cut out for you in these trying times.
Howard was also an avid New York Giants football fan; cheered (and coached) them from his seat in the stands for over forty years, from the New York City Polo Grounds to Yankee Stadium to New Ha-ven and finally to the Jersey Meadowlands. After moving to Maine, the Patriots became a close second choice.
He was an accomplished bridge player, a lover of classical music, theater, American history, good friends and good writing. He was devoted to each of the long line of dogs we had over 60-some years (he really loved only one of the several cats). His love and commitment to his family never fal-tered; he was always the rock and guide who sheltered and encouraged us.
Howard was predeceased by his parents and his twin sisters,Joan Goddard and Marga-ret Knopfelmacher. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Judith; daughter Mary Grace Harris of Steep Falls, ME; son Frank McDonald Harris and his wife Lisa of Bradenton, FL; grandchildren Jef-frey Harris,Greenville, SC and Melissa Harris, Smyrna, GA; and his nieces Margaret Goddard and Car-olyn Marx, both in New Jersey.
We cannot find words to express adequately our appreciation for the loving and compassionate care Howard received from his “Angels” during the course of his decline: Jen, Diane, Emily, LaVerne, Heather, Sam, Sherri, Claudette and Rebecca, and the Home Health Care and Hospice of Southern Maine nurses.
There will be a celebration of Howard’s life on Saturday August 19th at 3pm at the Standish Congrega-tional Church, 25 Oak Hill Road, Standish. Arrangements are by Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home Cornish. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland,
217 Landing Road, Westbrook 04092, or the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, Standish Congregational Church, UCC, PO Box 68, Standish ME 04084.