Edward LeMoine Harris

Edward was born August 8th 1920 in Green Michigan to William J. and Julia A. (LeMoine) Harris. He graduated from Ontonagon High School and attended college at Ferris State University, Big Rapids Michigan.

Ed served our country in the 5th recognizance of Army Air Corp and served in Burma during WWII.

On May 5th 1948, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he married the former Rose Marie Leonardo, his first love and was adopted into the ethnic side of Italian life. As part of the Sunday ritual, he would read the comics to his in-laws translating English to Italian, they especially enjoyed Flash Gordon, Ed enjoyed the family structure of Italian culture particularly the wonderful food. Ed & Rose eventually moved to Cadillac, Michigan where he was employed as a purchaser at a grocery store when their son William Anthony Harris was born. They moved to back to Grand Rapids where he took a position as an auditor for Fisher Body. In Grand Rapids, their daughter Cynthia Jane (Harris) White was born, followed by another son Thomas Edward Harris a few years later.

The family moved to Marion, Indiana with his employment with Fisher Body. The family was active in St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Ed was active in Junior Achievement working with high school students through the automotive industry.

Upon retirement in 1984, Ed & Rose moved to Traverse City, Michigan to be where his grandkids were, as Rosie said it. They were surrounded by an exceptional group of neighbors that not only became part of their families but they became part of ours. Thank you to Ted & Maurice Mattis, Francis West, Denney & Kathy Tilley, Steve & Diane Klix, Roy & Carol Parker. So many times they have cared for Ed & Rosie as one of their own. The Mattis’s always went over the call to assist with Ed in the last several years.

Ed & Rose were the original founders group of Christ the King Parish in Acme Michigan. Ed participated in the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and served in many capacities in the church.

Ed was preceded in death by his siblings all during 2017, Ed’s brother Jack Harris was 99 and his sister Rosalie “Peg” Younk was 90. He was also preceded in death by his father, mother and his wife Rose.

Following the passing of his wife Rose, Ed entered the Peace Corp at the age of 76 and served the country of Jamaica for 3 years which then lend him to establishing a commitment to the parishes and schools there. Through many fundraisers at Christ the King parish and with a team of volunteers the work still carries on in Jamaica.

Ed is survived by all his children, William A Harris and his wife Lyn Ann (Swetnicki) Harris, Cynthia Jane White and Thomas E Harris and his wife Nancy J (Donlin) Harris. Many grandchildren including Hannah C Harris, Seth M. Harris with his wife Renee L. (Shanowski) Harris, Chelsea L Rogers and Leslie A (Rogers) Hughes and her husband Dr. Andrew J. Hughes, and three great grandchildren, KeAnna Harris, Keegan Harris and Katrianna Barnwell.

A celebration of life service, time yet to be determined, will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3801 Shore Rd. Williamsburg, Michigan. There will a one hour visitation prior to a celebration Mass. Luncheon to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Interment of Ed’s remains will reside next to his bride and wife Rosie at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where this love story began.