Jefferson W. Harris

Mr. Harris was born on March 24, 1955 in Norwalk, CT, the son of Thomas and Marilyn Harris.

He served proudly in the US Navy as an Electronics Technician with Submarine duty on the USS Will Rogers and the USS George Washington Carver. In 1999 Mr. Harris graduated from Southern Illinois University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Workforce Education and Development. He was employed for many years in the eLearning department at Pfizer.

Mr. Harris was well known for his genuine interest in most anything maritime or military related. This interest led to his involvement with the following organizations: the New London Port Authority since 2009 where he also served as the chair in 2011 and had resumed that role recently; OpSail 2012 as the Parade Marshall; The National Coast Guard Museum as a “Plankowner”; and the New London Maritime Society Custom House Maritime Museum as a trustee for two years. He also held active memberships with the Waterford VFW; SubVets in Groton; and the American Legion in Niantic.

Mr. Harris is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Conor and Jennifer Harris of East Lyme, CT, grandchildren, Shylah and Alexander, adopted son Kenneth Harris of Shawnee, OK, sisters Elizabeth Hurd of Guthrie, OK, and Kendra Schauwecker of Sementina, Switzerland. Mr. Harris was pre-deceased by his brother Thomas Harris of Oklahoma City, OK.

Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday November 14, 2017 from 5:00 until 6:30 with a brief service to follow at 6:30 in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Ave., New London. There will be a reception following the service at the American Legion, 16 York Ave. Niantic. Please visit www.fultontherouxnewlondon.com for photos, tributes, directions. Donations may be made in his memory to New London Maritime Society @ http://www.nlmaritimesociety.org.