of Clarence, NY, formerly a long-time resident of East Aurora, NY.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 55 years, Elaine Wistran Harris; his children, Kimberly (Sean) McAtee, Christopher (Kristin) Harris, and Daniel (Lisa) Harris; his grandchildren, Katie and Michael Harris, Ethan and Sarah McAtee, and Quinn Harris; and a sister, Carol (John) Heffley.
Born in 1944 to Herbert and Eloise Harris, Tom lived in Buffalo, NY. He met Elaine Wistran on a blind date, fell in love and married her. They eventually moved to East Aurora where they made a wonderful home for their family.
Tom graduated from Kensington High School in Buffalo and went on to earn a degree in Forestry from Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks. That love and knowledge of trees eventually led him to begin creating beautiful furniture from their wood. One of his great delights was finding a pile of lumber in someone’s old barn which he could visualize as a one of a kind piece.
The business he started as “Tomorrow’s Antiques” became “The Schoolhouse Gallery”, where he and his partner, Ben Little, created furniture together for many years. His legacy of work can be found all across the country in places such as The Roycroft Inn in East Aurora, The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, SC and Glacier National Park in Montana, as well as innumerable private homes and businesses.
If you were in a crowded room, you always knew where Tom was by simply listening for his infectious laugh. He brought great joy, in addition to wise counsel, to all those lucky enough to be in his life.
Tom was a leader in many capacities, serving on the East Aurora Village Board for a number of years, on the Tree Board of East Aurora, was Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 513 and Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 514 in East Aurora, and was President of the Board and leader of the Architectural Committee at Faun Lake, where he and Elaine enjoyed many years together and with their great friends. A Roycroft Master Craftsman, Tom served the Roycrofters at Large Association (RALA), as President and as a juror for new artisans.
In his later years, Tom served on the Board of the East Aurora Educational Foundation. He took great pride in consideration of grants which would benefit the teachers and students of the East Aurora Schools.
He will be remembered fondly and missed greatly by all who were lucky enough to know him. Those interested in honoring his life are encouraged to make donations to the East Aurora Educational Foundation or to Nativity Lutheran Church in East Aurora.
There will be no prior visitation. Private services were held. A Celebration Of Life will be held at a later date to be announced.
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