Stanley L. Harris, MD, FACS

Stanley Lee Harris, MD, FACS, 83, of Naples, FL, passed away on September 12, 2014, following a brief hospitalization due to an automobile accident. The son of Margaret and David Harris of Norfolk, VA, Stan excelled in athletics, lettering in tennis, track, and basketball. He was also an accomplished gymnast in his early days. Stanley was an outstanding student who attended the University of Virginia. After three years of exceptional academic performance, the University of Virginia offered him the rare opportunity to enter medical school one year early, where he was first in his class in his first year. After medical school, he accepted an internship at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center. The following year, he was awarded a “Fight for Sight Fellowship.” Subsequently, he joined the Air Force for two years and served as a Captain in England, and was the only ophthalmologist for all the Air Force bases in the country. After serving, he returned to New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center for a residency in ophthalmology, where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Anne Cecilia McGurk. They married in May of 1961, and recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. Stan was a very loving and much beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

Stanley lived a very full life. He became a leading ophthalmologist in Rockville Centre, NY, at Mercy Hospital, and an attending ophthalmologist at what is now Nassau University Hospital, where he served as chief of retinal surgery for several years. He was president of the Nassau Ophthalmologic Society of Nassau County. He helped train many leading ophthalmologists in practice today, and treated countless emergencies. After living in Rockville Centre for four years he moved his young family to Massapequa, NY. He was an accomplished pianist and philatelist, which he was blessed to pursue until the end of his days. He was also a lifetime member of the American Philatelic Society. In their younger days, Betty Anne and Stan could often be found on the dance floor. He had a passion for model trains, tennis, boating, photography, and all things electronic. Stan never met a manual he didn't love, or understand at least as well as the original author. Upon retirement in 1997, Stan and Betty Anne moved to Naples, FL, where they spent many wonderful years sharing their lives with family and friends. We will all miss his gentle humor and wit.

He is survived by his wife, and his four children; sons: Michael Harris, MD, and his wife Misty of Charleston, WV; Joseph and his wife Jola of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and his daughters, Suzanne Harris of Naples, FL and the youngest, by four minutes, Michelle Harris and her fiancé Mark Fortunato of Amityville, NY -- who were all fortunate to surround him in his final days, which were difficult at times but eased by the excellent staff at Naples Community Hospital. He has four grandchildren: Nicholas, Blake, Jonathan, and Sophia. He is also survived by a son from a previous marriage: Bradley Osman of Virginia Beach, VA.

A memorial service will be held at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens at 2pm on Friday September 19, 2014. The address is: 525 111th Ave N, Naples, FL 34108

In lieu of any gifts or flowers, please make a donation to Artis-Naples, home of the Naples Philharmonic, where Stan and his wife spent many happy hours.