Max was our second cousin and in later years only met Max in Hawaii when he was in the US Navy and recently  in Port Macquarie Australia with Len Mavis Rob and Lisa. Ma x was not well then and was heading home to the US for treatment.  We are sad to hear of his passing and send our condolences and love to his family and friends. 
Peter & Lorraine Fowler

Max and I went grunion catching one time. Grunion are little sardine-size fish that beach themselves by the millions on the California coast during their mating cycle. They’re easily caught by hand. We caught a bucketful then took them back to his parent’s house. We really didn’t know how to prepare them. Max suggested we scale then fillet them. Ever tried to scale a fish the size of a sardine? What an incredibly futile and messy exercise. We had a good laugh.

Max played rugby (although he always talked about how much better Aussie Rules football was than either rugby or American football). Knowing nothing about rugby, I went to some matches to learn something about the game and watch him play. Most of the guys playing were ex-college football players who just missed the cut for the NFL so were huge, fast, and strong. Max was by far the smallest guy on the field as far was height and weight. What Max lacked in sheer size, he made up for with speed, toughness, and determination.

His rugby club decided as a fundraiser one year that they would pose for Playgirl magazine, one picture in their uniforms and the same shot in the buff. As it was a team photo, each of the guy was only about an inch tall in the picture. Max and I were walking thru the mall a few months after that edition came out, and a woman stopped him. “Hey, weren’t you just in a magazine?” she asked. We were stunned. Max stood out as he was the only redhead in the picture but that lady must have studied that picture with a magnifying glass!!!

Max Harris has been my best friend for the past 39 years, and I’m here to celebrate him.

You’ve heard of the TV show “Two Broke Girls”? I first met Max when we were “Two Broke Guys.” We worked at Red Lobster: he was a busboy and I was a cook. We’d all hang out in the parking lot after work and drink a few beers, and talk about which hostess or waitress we fancied, cars, school, scuba diving, fishing, racquetball, shooting, family, and life. He’d tell me about how Australian cars were better than anything the US (or anyone else) ever made…except his Buick Skyhawk. He was passionate about that car. At times we’d have to scrounge up a buck or two from the couch cushions and share it so we had gas in our cars.

Max was a scuba diving instructor.  I wanted to learn how to dive but he thought it would be a bad idea for a friend to teach me. I, frankly, couldn’t afford lessons so kept bugging him when he wasn’t busy. After repeatedly pestering him, he agreed to teach me how to dive. This first involves pool work. Even though we were in California, unheated pools can get rather chilly in the winter. I didn’t have any diving gear whatsoever so Max called his brother Rob and asked if I could use Rob’s spare wetsuit. Rob graciously agreed. So we got in the pool, and things are going Okay at first since we are just standing in the water donning and clearing the mask, the regulator, etc. Then comes time to start swimming, and it turns out the crotch had a small hole in it so every kick of the legs shot a jet of icy water straight into my crotch. He laughed and laughed. He was a great prankster.

Deepest sympathies Beverly. I have never seen you so happy as when you told me about Max. The man you met at Church, the plans you were making for the future. Condolences for you and the family. 

Goodbye to the little boy who left Australia so long ago. You will  live on in your brother Robert's heart ( my Godson) and Mum & Dad. A truly close & loving family I have been fortunate to have had in my life . Junexx


Max was a real trooper on the Enterprise.  I was the night check Maintenance Officer on cruise and even though he wasn’t required to check up on at night, he made it part of his routine.  Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate.  CWO3 Patrick Durden, USN, Ret

I met Max on the USS Enterprise. He was a great mentor. I was blessed to see him again a few years ago when we had a reunion in San Antonio. You will be missed.

My fond memories of Max began when we were neighbors to Len and Mavis Harris in Texas.  It was exciting to hear his adventure stories of hunting or fishing, and it seems that his fondness for the outdoors stayed with him for the rest of his life.  As a Vietnam veteran, I thank Max for his service in the U S Navy.  He was a fine young man who passed too soon and suffered quietly.  My wife, who passed last year of cancer, shared with Max her empathy for his difficult journey.  To Len, Mavis, Robert and Beverly, my deepest sympathies.

I didn't know Max as well as many of you, but the man, the Sailor, the Shipmate I did know was one of knowledge, skill, kindness, and compassion. I wouldn't recognize him without that contagious smile and generous greeting. Max was special, the kind of guy that makes everyone around him better. Rest in peace Max. You made a difference.

  I first met Max in Louisiana when My Dad and Mr. Len first started working together. I'm guessing we were both 7 or 8. 

 It was all about hunting and fishing when the Chiasson's and Harris's got together. There were plenty of fond memories. Duck and rabbit  hunting on the farm in Pine Pasture. Hunting and fishing in Texas. The many trips fishing on the ocean in California were a blast. 

  Like many childhood friends we went our separate ways as adults. Occasionally we spoke and even managed to visit a few times in recent years. You will be missed my friend.

 Mrs. Mavis, Mr. Len, Robert and Beverly. I am deeply sorry for your loss.  Max was a great friend. My memories of Max and your family will forever be cherished.
  

I met Max through his older brother Robert in 1982, in Huntington Beach, CA. Before joining the Navy, Max worked as a restaurant chef and he cooked us many fine meals. In 1992, he generously opened his home in Ewa Beach, HI, to my wife and I as we attended a wedding in Honolulu. He arranged a scuba trip and deep sea fishing excursion. He was the best scuba diver I ever met and I learned more from Max than many scuba classes. He will be missed.

Max gave me a USS Enterprise hat from one of his tours. I will cherish it always.

I sincerely regret that I am unable to attend the services.

Max was a great Shipmate and Liberty Buddy!  Never would have made it through my first command and deployment onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) if it weren't for HM3 Harris showing me the ropes.  Fair winds Shipmate, and Godspeed.  

OBITUARY

Max Andrew Harris

November 10, 1962 – December 29, 2019

Oak Lawn Funeral Home

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