Richard Harris

CHARLESTON - Richard Harris, 99, much loved "Pa" and "Papa", joined his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife, Shirley at his new residence in Heaven on September 13, 2025. He left his earthly home in Charleston surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born August 28, 1926, the fourth of nine children to Raymond and Mabelle (Bowley) Harris in Howland, Maine.

During his childhood years, the family lived in several seacoast towns. In 1944, at the age of eighteen, he joined the Army and served in Germany. Before he returned home, his parents had moved to Charleston and bought a farm. There, he met the love of his life, Shirley Speed and they were married August 28, 1950. They resided together in Charleston almost seventy-five years and together raised five children.

Along with his parents and six of his siblings he was predeceased by his loving wife Shirley and a precious granddaughter, Victoria. He is survived by his children, Steven Harris and his wife, Kathryn; daughters, Deborah and her husband, Albert Libby, all of Charleston, Cynthia and her husband, Scott Smith, of Corinth, Karen and her husband, David Silverman, of Quincy, Massachusetts, Rachel and her husband, Donald Booker, of Garland, and loving niece, Peggy Trask Kimball, of Los Angeles, California. He was a special Papa to fourteen grandchildren, Andrew, Kara, Katie, Tony, Jessica, Gabriel, Sara, Cameron, Amanda, Rebekah, Caleb, Ashley, Alexandra and Victoria and many great and several great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many special nieces and nephews.

Richard and Shirley accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior very early in their marriage and served him faithfully at the Bradford Baptist Church. Richard served as a Deacon, trustee and Sunday School teacher. He was characterized for his strong faith and Christian example.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful healthcare workers who took care of him in his later years, "Dr. V.", his doctor and friend, the Galileo Healthcare Team and his special nurse, Kari, and the Sixth-Floor nurses at St. Joseph and Northern Light Hospice.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00p.m., Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Bradford Baptist Church, 461 Main Road, Bradford. Graveside services will be private. Gifts in Richard's memory may be sent to Bradford Baptist Church, c/o Scott Smith, 30 Ridge Road, Corinth, ME 04427. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.