Hartford Courant (Sunday)

Harris, III, Reese H.

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Reese H. Harris, III died peacefully in the presence of family on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Reese was the son of Reese, Jr. and Dorothy Harris. He grew up in West Hartford, CT and attended Phillips Exeter Academy and the Taft School. He graduated from Brown University in 1958. Reese married Penny Fenn in 1956 and welcomed Reese, Ginny and Dorie. They moved to the Midwest for Reese's work in sales, returning to West Hartford when he joined Fenn Manufactur­ing Co. in Newington, CT. Following Penny and Reese's decision to part, Reese returned to sales and found new love and marriage with Nancy Hirt in 1971. Reese and Nancy welcomed Tensy and Doug to Reese's beloved crew of children, his greatest pride and joy. Reese was an avid artist, musician and outdoorsma­n. He built striplathe kayaks & canoes and was an accomplish­ed wood carver. He served as Commodore of the Pettipaug Yacht Club and was a longtime member of the Essex Yacht Club. As a board member of Okemo Mountain Ski Area, he helped envision expansion in the '70's. Following Okemo, Reese, Nancy and children continued to have special memories at their home at Purgatory Ski Resort in Colorado. Reese was often found with a guitar nearby, as he was passionate about bluegrass & country music. He delighted all who knew him with his wit and wry sense of humor. He had a captivatin­g smile and a warm and gracious manner. Reese was predecease­d by his wife Nancy and his parents. He is survived by his brother, Ezra R. Harris and family, as well as his five children, their spouses, 11 grandchild­ren and two granddaugh­ters-in-law. A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 10th at the First Congregati­onal Church, Essex CT, at 10:00am. The location of the reception to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the First Congregati­onal Church (6 Methodist Hill), the Essex Public Library (33 West Avenue), or the Pettipaug Sailing Academy (P.O. Box 372) of Essex CT 06426 are appreciate­d. To send the family personal condolence­s, please visit www. sheafunera­lhomes.com.

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