John Russell Harris

Son of the late Frank and Doris Harris (nee Lloyd) of Toronto.

Predeceased by his wife off 44 years Sheila (nee Jennings), his son Dean Robert Massey, his sister June-Ann McGuire, and his grandson Joshua Klusacek.

John is survived by his brother Jim Harris, his 6 children, Theresa (Michael), Pat (Sheila)¸ Rosemarie, Billy (Marcella), Christa Massey (Shawn) and Eddy (Kristina)

Grandchildren Vanessa, Timothy, Jessica, Michael, Ashley, Alexandra, Matthew, Christopher, Nicholas.

And 13 Great Grandchildren.

Dad was born and raised in the Beaches of Toronto, a place he loved to visit and spoke of often and with great fondness.

His first job at 13 was deliveries for a small Grocer on Queen St. on his bicycle. A 10 lb bag of potatoes still made him cringe even to this day.

After graduating from Danforth Technical School in 1957, where his yearbook notes he was a “Motorcycle and car enthusiast”, he went on to work with a local garage in the beaches and in 1966 obtained his “Doctor of Motors” certificate and opened his own BP Garage franchise on Wineva Avenue in the beaches, while brother Jim opened his BA garage franchise on the opposite side of Wineva Avenue. Together they began what would later become, Harris Brothers Automotive and Harris Brothers Towing Services. Eventually having many service and gas stations over the years all over the GTA. In the early years, employing their beloved Mother Doris as their bookkeeper.

In 1967, the brothers teamed up with Canadian Automotive Trade to trial complimentary Vehicle Inspections during services within their service centres. The Success of those trials is a legacy for the brothers in what today has become standard practice for all Automotive Garages with every vehicle Service.

In his free time, Dad was an accomplished Ballroom Dancer in the 60’s with the Arthur Murray School of Dance, winning many trophies and awards over the years. He was also an avid traveller, photographer, fisherman, hunter and Pilot.

In 1971, while at a Dance event in Toronto, everything changed for him when he met Sheila Theresa Jennings. Regardless to the fact she already had 6 children from a previous marriage, he was all in.

In 1972, they married in New York City and he moved his new family from Rexdale to the new and upcoming suburbs of Scarborough, then known as Agincourt. Not long afterwards they added to the already bursting 5 bedroom home with the addition of a 7th child together that same year.

A house of 9 was not enough though, so he also moved his new mother-in-law Rose Finch to live with them for many years as well.

Dad worked tirelessly to ensure that life was rich for all. Beautiful yearly vacations to Florida, camping trips, summer cottages and boating. He made sure the memories would be plenty and documented them all with his love of photography, compiling thousands of slides for family slideshows in the basement.

Our home was always a place where all were welcome, and the house was always filled with people.

Weddings, Family Reunions, Pool Parties, neighborhood parties and every kind of gathering in between.

Dad’s love of cooking and baking meant that all gatherings, were always overflowing with his delicious kitchen creations. His butter tarts were second to none. Sorry Mom, but Dad was the King of the kitchen.

Dad will be missed by the many friends he has made over the years with the Royal Canadian and American Legions where he was a proud serving member for almost 50 years, serving two terms as Branch President. He was also an active Member of the Lions Club of Canada for many years. Serving the community in various Charity Fundraisers including the yearly Christmas Cake sales.

We wish to extend our deepest heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Hill Top Manor in Cambridge where dad has resided for the last year. Your love, empathy and compassionate care has meant the world to us, and we are eternally grateful for you. We commend you all for the selfless love you show to the residents of Hill Top. You are true angels on earth.

Dad, I’m going to miss you immensely.

Everything I am, everything I have is all because you danced.

I know you dance again today.

I am eternally thankful for the gift of you.

Always the hero that saved me.

Christa

Dad has been entrusted to the care of Gilbert McIntyre and Sons Guelph – Cremation will take place. A memorial service will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of the following in Dad’s Memory.

Hilltop Manor – C/O Resident Council Funds -42 Elliott Street Cambridge, ON N1R 2J2 OR The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 614 - 100 Salome Drive Scarborough, Ontario M1S 2A8