ALPLAUS, N.Y. — Arthur William Harris, 75, died on Feb. 3, 2014 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Beloved brother, husband, father and grandfather, Art was born to John and Ruth (Tenney) in Waterboro, Maine.
He grew up as the older brother to James, and wife Nancy, and William, and wife Dixie, on a dairy farm in the town of Dayton, Maine.
After attending a one-room grammar school, he graduated high school from Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine. He attained a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the University of Maine in Orono before starting a career in mechanical engineering and applied heat transfer for Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. During his career, he continued his education and received master’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.
He married Judy (Mesler) in Buffalo and resided for more than 50 years in Alplaus, where they raised three boys, John and wife Darlene, James, wife Jeanette, and Mark.
Two grandchildren, Joseph and Aaron, have fond memories of the times they spent with their grandfather especially in New York, Vermont and Illinois.
He was a master forester and active in outdoor sports including fishing, golf and skiing. He is remembered as an advocate for small-town life, serving as a fire commissioner and Home Town News editor for many years in Alplaus.
Art and Judy were founding members of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Clifton Park. In addition to leading many committees and working with youth at church, Art was involved with Elfun Society activities, shared his time with county 4-H clubs and mentored disadvantaged children in the community, especially his 20-plus year friendship with Michael Graham.
He was a member of two Ford Motor car collector clubs: Adirondack A’s with his 31 Model A and N.Y. Early Birds with his 57 T-bird.
Burial will be in the spring at Goodwins Mills Village Cemetery in Lyman, Maine. Arrangements are with Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Homes, Saco & Buxton, www.dcpate.com. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to King of Kings Lutheran Church ”“ Art Harris Memorial. All funds will go to the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Scholarship Fund to support students as they complete the rigorous course of study necessary for preparation to proclaim the unconditional gospel.
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