Seth was an avid sportsman, intrepid adventurer, skilled businessman and generous philanthropist and mentor, but most importantly an engaged and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. There was no activity or occasion that couldn’t be improved by doing it with others, and he conceived and led many such adventures.
Seth was never happier than when active, preferably outdoors and among loved ones, whether mountain biking or skiing with his children, dancing in the aisles with his wife, arranging annual family vacations that became cherished shared experiences, or golfing with friends. Gregarious by nature, he was genuinely interested in a wide range of people and made friends at every turn, many kept throughout his life. He believed in sharing the blessings of his life with others, relished challenges, and lived by the motto ‘never give up”.
He loved to try new things, like leading his family on challenge courses, making art out of paint and pallets, building intricate paths through the woods or completing a Japanese garden. His spirit of inclusion, hands-on approach and creativity were infectious.
He believed in and demonstrated the value of lifelong education, hard work balanced with joyful play, loyalty and the importance of family. He led by example. His deep love of his hometown, Cleveland, never wavered. Even as he spent winters in Arizona, he thought of himself as a proud Clevelander, and spread this sentiment throughout worldwide travels.
As President of Harris Wholesale, which evolved from a small west side pharmacy founded by his parents to one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in the country, he was known for his incisive mindset and ability to balance risk and growth. After selling the business, he just as actively devoted himself to helping a range of organizations. He served on numerous public and private boards including The Cleveland Clinic Board of Trustees and Case Weatherhead School of Management Visiting Committee, and particularly relished furthering education, as with his involvement with the Breakthrough Schools.
He was a third-generation congregant of Park Synagogue, a graduate of the Ohio State University with a degree in business, and a graduate of Shaker Heights High School.
He is survived by his wife, Lilli (nee Adler), children Scott (Amy) Harris, Hallie (Bianca) Harris and Jodi Harris, and stepchildren Claudia (Dan) Zalevsky and Eric Lief. He was the devoted grandfather of Katie (Andrew) Roche, Lilly Harris, Madison Friedman, Isabel Friedman, Tobey Steiner, Ivy Steiner, Liam Zalevsky and Claire Zalevsky and great-grandfather of Alexandra Roche and Nicole Roche. He was predeceased by his parents, Lillian and Milford Harris, and brother Matthew Harris.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. May 5 at Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike, Oh. A private family Interment was held at Bet Olam Cemetery. The family will receive friends following services until 8 p.m. at Beechmont Country Club, 29600 Chagrin Blvd., Orange, OH.
In lieu of food or flowers, friends who wish may contribute to the Lillian and Milford Harris Library Endowment Fund, c/o Case Western Reserve University (case.edu/give), or by mail to Office of Advancement Services, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106-7035, or Friends of Breakthrough Schools (breakthroughschools.org/donate), or by mail to 3615 Superior Ave., Building 44, Suite 4403D, Cleveland, OH 44114.
To view this service please navigate to https://youtu.be/1y1bcW5L0Qs
Arrangements under the direction of BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL
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