Edward Patrick Harris 83, formerly Abbott Road, Bradford, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Born September 15, 1940, in Bradford, he was a son of the late James V. and Rita Conley Harris and the grandson of Fredrick Roswell and Rose Cynthia Harris, Edward T. and Loretta Conley.
He was a 1958 graduate of St. Bernard's High School where he played basketball and football and was involved in a multitude of student activities. He attended St. Bonaventure University and Gannon University.
He entered the workforce at an early age and proudly told stories of delivering the Bradford Era as a young boy and working for Gleason’s Construction as a young man as a bricklayer and mason before moving away from Bradford. Ed spent his entire career in multiple roles at the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf in West Trenton, NJ retiring as the Dean of Residential services. He was recognized by the students for being firm but understanding and helpful to them. He was fluent in sign language and used it throughout his career to better communicate with students and faculty. Ed had a lifelong love of sports and spent decades refereeing college, high school, and pop warner football and basketball games. He enjoyed helping young players learn and had a low tolerance for coaches, if their ego overshadowed the players development and character.
After his retirement Ed spent a number of years as a volunteer for NOVA the National Organization for Victim Advocacy and served as a mediator between perpetrators of crimes and their victims and victim family members. He returned to Bradford in 2017, to reconnect with his childhood friends and family and although proudly Irish was a member of the Italian Club.
He is survived by his spouse, Cheryl McPherson. They spent decades together in Bucks County, and in Bradford, and found a lifetime of happiness with each other and their dogs Patrick, Heidi and Teddy. Cheryl’s love and care provided him with great comfort in his final days.
Ed is also survived by his sons: Eddie (Susan) Harris, Greg (Deirdre) Harris, Jeff (Veronica) Harris, all from his former wife; and six grandchildren, Ryan & Sean, Alexandra & Jack, James & Natalka, as well as two sisters, Rosemary (the late John) Osborne, Kathleen (Art) Roberts both of Bradford; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four of his siblings: Mary "Shelley" Harris, Sheila Goodman, Michael "Frederick" Harris, and Timothy "Timmy" Harris.
Family will receive friends on Monday May 20, 2024, from 11 am to Noon in St. Francis Church. At Noon a Mass of Christian Burial will be held with Fr. Jim Gutting as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, or St Bernard Church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com