Charles (Charlie) Russell Harris, 82 of Keene, New Hampshire died peacefully Tuesday morning November 9, 2021 at his home with his wife and family at his side after a courageous 4-year battle with cancer.
Born to Lawrence and Margaret (Hildreth) Harris on February 23, 1939 in Winchendon, Massachusetts.
Charlie grew up in Winchendon, Massachusetts and graduated from Murdock High. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War from February 5,1962 until his discharge on February 4, 1964.
After returning from the service, he worked 20 years at Yankee Lanes starting as a head mechanic and worked his way up to Manager. It was Yankee Lanes where he met his Wife Diane. They were married on January 6, 1968 and would have been married for 54 years come January 6, 2022. He then went to work for Peerless Insurance (Liberty Mutual) for 15 years as the Supervisor of Maintenance until his retirement in December 2000.
Charlie’s fire service career spanned six decades. Served as a Call Firefighter in Winchendon, MA from 1957 until 1964. He returned to the fire service when he joined the Keene Fire Department as an Auxiliary member on October 1, 1984. On January 30, 1997 he was promoted to Lieutenant of the Call Company and in Special Services until his retirement on December 11, 2019. He was a member of the Cheshire County Forest Fire Wardens Association and the Worcester West Forest Fire Wardens Association in Massachusetts. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 4.
Charlie was an avid bowler and travelled all across the United States with his wife and other bowlers participating in the USBC Open Championships. He bowled in 42 Open Championship Tournaments. He was inducted into the New Hampshire State Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1980 for his dedication to the sport of bowling. He was a mentor and coach to many kids over the years in bowling. Charlie and his wife took 4 young bowlers to Columbus, OH so that they could participate in a tournament.
He loved the outdoors and taking special care of his lawn. He was known to have one of the best lawns on the street. You also would see him mowing and taking care of the First Baptist Church lawn. He was a man that would help anybody any time.
He leaves his wife of almost 54 years, Diane D. (Barden) Harris; his brother Lawrence Harris, Jr. and his wife Judy of Rindge, NH; sister-in-law Martha Harris of Winchendon, MA; brother-in-law Brian Barden and his wife Jean of Dublin, NH; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Two brothers, Raymond A. Harris and William Harris preceded him in death.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, November 28, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 105 Maple Ave, Keene, NH on Monday, November 29 at 10:00 am. Burial at Monadnock View Cemetery in Keene with military honors will follow.Those in attendance are required to wear masks and practice appropriate physical distancing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Charles Russell Harris’ name are requested to be made to the First Baptist Church, 105 Maple Ave, Keene, NH 03431 or to the Keene Fire Department, 31 Vernon Street, Keene, NH 03431.
