Dr. Howard M. Harris' Obituary
Howard Morten Harris, 93, of Fort Myers, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 7, 2021. He was born on April 11, 1928, in Margaretville, Nova Scotia. He graduated from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick with a bachelor’s degree with honors and with his Doctor of Medicine degree from McGill University Medical School in Montreal, Quebec. He did his residency in Internal Medicine in Buffalo, New York.
He married Carol J. Scott on July 16, 1954, in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Howard, Carol, and his family lived for sixteen years in the Buffalo, New York area where he practiced medicine. While in the Buffalo area, they raised their young family of seven children, five boys and two girls. They were very involved in boating and the Sandy Beach Yacht Club. After a lifetime of cold weather, he moved his family to Fort Myers, Florida. There he opened his own medical practice on Cleveland Avenue in 1972. He loved being a physician and practiced for over sixty years.
Outside of medicine and family, Howard’s passion was being on the water and boating. He was a member of the Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society Sailing Club where he was active for many years. His passion for sailing created many lifelong friendships that he treasured until his passing. He served on a variety of leadership committees in his professional as well as in his personal life.
He is survived by the love of his life Carol (Scott) Harris.
His unconditional love and sense of humor will be forever missed by his children; H. Scott (Mary Jane) Harris of Fort Myers, FL, Paul (Sue) Harris of Fort Myers, FL, H. Ross (Dale) Harris of Naples, FL, Brian Harris of Fort Myers, FL, Keith (Molly) Harris of Fort Myers, FL, Joy Stephens of Fort Myers FL and Janice Harris of Fort Myers, FL. His huge hugs for his thirteen grandchildren will also be missed. For his grandchildren and great grandchildren, he wrote a book of his life stories intertwined with biblical passages.
Grandpa’s loving grandchildren include Lauren Harris, Ryan (Kelly) Harris, Jennifer (Adam) Younger, Ashley (Brad) Talbert, Megan Harris, Morgan (Brad) Bailey, Paige (Jake) Farmer, Tyler Stephens, Brian Stephens, Carly Harris, Carol Galloway, Aaron Harris, and Faith Harris. He also leaves behind his beloved eleven (twelve) great grandchildren, Brady, Cooper, Emma, Brooks, Hannah, Grayson, Griffin, Quinn, Grace, Scott, Harper, and baby to be Farmer.
He is also survived by his many relatives: Dorothy (Rick, deceased) Vaughan, Jeffrey and Shelley Appleton, Jocelyn and David Ryan-Wiggin, Valerie Ryan, Andrea (Michael) Ryan-Dow, David (Connie) Dorton.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents Aubrey and Edris Harris, his sisters Olive (Art) Appleton and Norma (Jerry) Ryan, and nephew James Appleton.
There will be a celebration of life on Friday, October 15, 2021, at New Hope Presbyterian Church at 10051 Plantation Road, Ft. Myers, Fl. The service will be at 1:00 pm and the family will receive visitors after the ceremony in the fellowship hall. There will be a private interment service at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to New Hope Presbyterian Church in memory of Howard M. Harris at 10051 Plantation Road, Fort Myers, Fl. 33966.
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