Donald Harriss
April 3, 1927 — October 9, 2010
Donald Harriss
Donald Harriss of Lynnfield, Massachusetts died on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in England, following a brief illness. He was 83 years old. Donald was the husband of the late Evelyn Colleran Harriss with whom he had six children. He lived most of his life in Lynnfield, having been brought up in South Lynnfield not far from the Newburyport Turnpike. In 1938, at age eleven, Donald moved to Stafford, England with his family. While in England, Donald attended Downside School in Somerset and matriculated at Cambridge University (Trinity College) in October 1944. At the end of the war, in 1945, Donald and his family returned to their home in Lynnfield. Donald transferred to Harvard University, graduating in 1948. He received an Ed.M. from Boston College and in 1958, a Ll.B. from B.C. Law School. He passed the Massachusetts Bar in 1958. Although he never actively practiced law, he remained a member of the Massachusetts Bar.
From 1950-1952, during the Korean War, Donald served in the 278th RCT, with 6 months of that time spent on duty in Iceland. He taught math in South Paris, Maine and at Malden High School.
In 1956, Donald joined his father and brother as a partner in their firm, International Advisory Service. The company specialized in advising European footwear manufacturers regarding advanced American production and retailing methods. IAS also successfully acted as the USA sales agents for two UK leather manufacturers and a shoe machinery manufacturer. Later the firm became the North American agent for Investa of Prague, Czechoslovakia. As the official government marketing company for Strojsvit of Krnov, Investa brought to the world the "Molissa" Staking machine, an advanced but simple machine that revolutionized leather processing. IAS introduced this machine into practically every tannery in North American. Donald stayed with IAS until 1978 at which time he formed his own company, Harriss International Corporation. Until 1986, HIC represented European manufacturers at which time he merged his company with the American subsidiary of a German firm called Dynatan. He retired in 1992 after having served as president of the USA branch.
Donald, following in the footsteps of his father, was very much involved in the life of Lynnfield. He was an original member of the Conservation Commission and served on the Planning Board in two separate terms for a total of 29 years. He also served on the Board of Appeals. His total official service to the town was 39 years. In addition to his official positions Donald was involved in the organization of the Lynnfield Scholarship Foundation, was president of Townscape Inc. and was President of the Lynnfield Historical Society for 5 years. As an agreeable and patient individual, he got along with people easily. He was particularly proud of the work of Townscape. With the industry and enthusiasm of the members and the cooperation of the DPW, nearly 700 trees were planted along the streets of Lynnfield and in the parks and cemeteries. As president of the Historical Society, he obtained funds from a charitable foundation, enabling the Society to give the 1714 Meeting House a second breath and get it well on its way to its next 100 years.
Donald Harriss valued education and always appreciated the educational opportunities that came his way. He stayed connected with his old school in England and also with Cambridge, Harvard and Boston College. As a member of the Harvard Class of '48, he was chairman of their 30th and 45th reunions and co-chair of the 50th, 55th and 60th. He was a supporter of the Friends of Harvard Celtic Studies and was a member of Kirkland House Senior Common Room. Donald was a strong supporter of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, which actively supports Boston's parochial schools. He was a long-time member of the Lynnfield Rotary Club and involved in many other volunteer activities, including Windrush Farm and Reading for the Blind.
Mr. Harriss leaves daughters Joan of Horseheads, New York, Gail of Durango, Colorado, Carol Manning of El Paso, Texas, and Nancy Harriss-Bauer of Seattle, Washington; sons Paul of Hunt Valley, Maryland and Brian of Powder Springs, Georgia; with their much loved spouses, James Murphy, Charlie Higby, Steven Manning, Karel Bauer and Rebecca Harriss, as well as 11 grandchildren, his brother Robert of Lynnfield and sister Anne Bugbee of Bennington, Vermont. Donald also leaves his close and dear friend, Prudence Markos, of Ipswich, Mass.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home 19 Yale Ave. Wakefield on Tuesday at 9am to be followed by a funeral mass in St. Maria Goretti Church 112 Chestnut St. Lynnfield at 10:00. Visitation at the McDonald Funeral Home will be held Monday from 4-8pm. Interment will be at Willow Cemetery in Lynnfield.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lynnfield Historical Society, Inc, PO Box 274, Lynnfield, MA 01940; The Inner-City Scholarship Fund , Catholic Schools Foundation, 260 Franklins Street, Suite 630, Boston, MA 02110 or Downside School, Somerset, England.
Read Donald Harriss's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.
From 1950-1952, during the Korean War, Donald served in the 278th RCT, with 6 months of that time spent on duty in Iceland. He taught math in South Paris, Maine and at Malden High School.
In 1956, Donald joined his father and brother as a partner in their firm, International Advisory Service. The company specialized in advising European footwear manufacturers regarding advanced American production and retailing methods. IAS also successfully acted as the USA sales agents for two UK leather manufacturers and a shoe machinery manufacturer. Later the firm became the North American agent for Investa of Prague, Czechoslovakia. As the official government marketing company for Strojsvit of Krnov, Investa brought to the world the "Molissa" Staking machine, an advanced but simple machine that revolutionized leather processing. IAS introduced this machine into practically every tannery in North American. Donald stayed with IAS until 1978 at which time he formed his own company, Harriss International Corporation. Until 1986, HIC represented European manufacturers at which time he merged his company with the American subsidiary of a German firm called Dynatan. He retired in 1992 after having served as president of the USA branch.
Donald, following in the footsteps of his father, was very much involved in the life of Lynnfield. He was an original member of the Conservation Commission and served on the Planning Board in two separate terms for a total of 29 years. He also served on the Board of Appeals. His total official service to the town was 39 years. In addition to his official positions Donald was involved in the organization of the Lynnfield Scholarship Foundation, was president of Townscape Inc. and was President of the Lynnfield Historical Society for 5 years. As an agreeable and patient individual, he got along with people easily. He was particularly proud of the work of Townscape. With the industry and enthusiasm of the members and the cooperation of the DPW, nearly 700 trees were planted along the streets of Lynnfield and in the parks and cemeteries. As president of the Historical Society, he obtained funds from a charitable foundation, enabling the Society to give the 1714 Meeting House a second breath and get it well on its way to its next 100 years.
Donald Harriss valued education and always appreciated the educational opportunities that came his way. He stayed connected with his old school in England and also with Cambridge, Harvard and Boston College. As a member of the Harvard Class of '48, he was chairman of their 30th and 45th reunions and co-chair of the 50th, 55th and 60th. He was a supporter of the Friends of Harvard Celtic Studies and was a member of Kirkland House Senior Common Room. Donald was a strong supporter of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, which actively supports Boston's parochial schools. He was a long-time member of the Lynnfield Rotary Club and involved in many other volunteer activities, including Windrush Farm and Reading for the Blind.
Mr. Harriss leaves daughters Joan of Horseheads, New York, Gail of Durango, Colorado, Carol Manning of El Paso, Texas, and Nancy Harriss-Bauer of Seattle, Washington; sons Paul of Hunt Valley, Maryland and Brian of Powder Springs, Georgia; with their much loved spouses, James Murphy, Charlie Higby, Steven Manning, Karel Bauer and Rebecca Harriss, as well as 11 grandchildren, his brother Robert of Lynnfield and sister Anne Bugbee of Bennington, Vermont. Donald also leaves his close and dear friend, Prudence Markos, of Ipswich, Mass.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home 19 Yale Ave. Wakefield on Tuesday at 9am to be followed by a funeral mass in St. Maria Goretti Church 112 Chestnut St. Lynnfield at 10:00. Visitation at the McDonald Funeral Home will be held Monday from 4-8pm. Interment will be at Willow Cemetery in Lynnfield.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lynnfield Historical Society, Inc, PO Box 274, Lynnfield, MA 01940; The Inner-City Scholarship Fund , Catholic Schools Foundation, 260 Franklins Street, Suite 630, Boston, MA 02110 or Downside School, Somerset, England.
Read Donald Harriss's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.
Visitation
McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave.
Wakefield
,
MA
US
01880
Monday, October 18, 2010, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Service
St. Maria Goretti
112 Chestnut Street
Lynnfield
,
MA
US
01940
Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 10:00 AM
Cemetery
Willow Cemetery
Summer Street
Lynnfield
,
MA
US
01940
Tuesday, October 19, 2010,
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