James V. Harris

James Vanderwerker "Van" Harris, 47, of Torrance, passed away on December 12 at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance. He suffered a heart attack on December 8 at El Camino College and died of subsequent complications.

Van was born on June 5, 1958 in Meriden CT, the third of five children of Bradley Duane and Katherine Spencer Harris. He attended public schools in Wallingford CT through third grade, when his family moved to Rome, Italy. While in Rome, Van attended St. George's School and the International School of Rome through 8th grade and went on to St. Stephen's School, where he received his high school diploma in 1975.

Following in the footsteps of his oldest brother, Bradley Jr., Van left Italy after high school to move to San Pedro, CA. He loved life in California but chose to return to Italy in 1979 to join his mother in running the International School of Rome and to travel. His travels outside of Italy included driving a Fiat 500 throughout Eastern Europe.

In 1981, he returned to San Pedro, where he met Virginia Valencia at work. She was very reluctant to date someone at work, but Van won her heart and those of her entire family. They were married in April, 1985 at St. Catherine Laboure Church in Torrance by Virginia's brother, Fr. Carlos Daniel Valencia. After living briefly in Lawndale, Torrance and Redondo Beach, the family settled in Lawndale in 1991. Just after thanksgiving 2005, Van and his family moved back to Torrance.

After many years in the employ of others, Van established a very successful internet business, based on an elegant and functional cat litter box that he designed and had manufactured under the name of Harrisworks. The cat litter box was recognized by Cat Fancy magazine as "Best New Product" when it was first made available and later won Good Housekeeping Magazine's "Best of the Best" in 2005.

He had a life-long passion for soccer, automobiles and motorcycles, both as a hands-on participant and as a spectator and admirer. His vinyl record collection included more than 5000 LPs.

He was deeply involved in his Roman Catholic faith. He served as a Eucharistic minister at St. James Church in Redondo Beach and was very proud that his son graduated summa cum laude from Bishop Montgomery High School in 2004 and has gone on to successful studies and crew participation at Cal State Long Beach. His life was dedicated to God, family and friends.

He is survived by his mother, Katherine Spencer Harris (Bracciano, Italy); His wife, Virginia and son, Bradley; his sister, Anne (Harris) Bacher (Fresno, CA); his brothers Bradley D. Jr. (Albion, CA), Mark B. (Milan, Italy), and Spencer J. (Los Osos, CA); and many cousins, nieces and nephews in the United States and abroad. Van is pre-deceased by his father, Bradley D. Harris, Sr. (1990, Bracciano, Italy)

Funeral arrangements are being handled by White & Day Colonial Mortuary, 901 Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Viewing hours will be from 4 PM - 8 PM on Thursday, December 15. The funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine Laboure Church, 3846 Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance at Noon on Friday, December 16. A Christian burial service will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City immediately following the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Habitat for Humanity International.