Obituary of James E. (Squeak) Harris

LITTLE FALLS - James E. (Squeak) Harris, 85 of 555 E. Monroe St., Little Falls passed away Sunday, May 6, 2007 at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica. He was born on December 21, 1921 in Little Falls the son of the late Frank and Martha (Wick) Harris. He was a graduate of Little Falls High School Class of 1941. He was united in marriage to his wife of 61 years the former Betty J. Montoney on August 3, 1946 in Gloversville, NY. Mr. Harris was a veteran of World War II, serving with the US Army Air Corps. Entering the service on September 10, 1942 in Utica. He served with the 306th Bombardment Squadron as a tail gunner aboard a B-17 Bomber. On October 14, 1943 his plane was shot down behind enemy territory in Vienna, where he was captured and placed in a German Prisoner of War camp. Where he remained until May 3, 1945. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on September 28, 1945. S/Sgt. Harris was the recipient of a Bronze Battle Star, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters for having flown fifteen separate bombing missions over enemy territory and the destruction of enemy aircraft and the Purple Heart. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Little Falls. As well as a 60 year member of the Dolgeville - Little Falls Masonic Lodge # 796, F&AM, American Legion Post # 31, Little Falls, S/Sgt. Steve Stefula Post # 4612, VFW, Little Falls where he was a past local and county commander as well as serving in several office's at the state level, DeCarlo - Staffo Post # 8, Little Falls, Stalag 17 former Prisoners of War, Disabled American Veterans, and the General Herkimer Chapter # 130, Military Order of the Purple Heart. Mr. Harris was employed for 41 years by the Remington Arms Co., Ilion, retiring as a Foreman in 1981. He is survived by his wife Betty, 4 sons Mark J. Harris and his companion Mary Duga, Dolgeville, Todd D. Harris and his wife Mellissa, Newville, James S. Harris, Salisbury and Kim J. Harris and his wife Terry, Newville, 4 grandchildren Jeffrey Harris, Little Falls, Marcella Harris, Little Falls, Reyna Harris, Newville and Amanda Harris, Newville, a great granddaughter Brandy Serow and her husband Joshua, Niagara Falls, NY and a great great granddaughter Kiera Serow, Niagara Falls, NY, 2 sisters in law Ann Harris and Barbara Harris both of Little Falls and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 4 brothers Robert Harris, Richard Harris, John (Jack) Harris and Donald (Butch) Harris and 2 sisters Donna Gray and Marion Kaminski and a great grandson Ryan Harris. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 10:00 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls with the Rev. Jon A. Noble, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Little Falls officiating. Interment will take place in Rural Park Cemetery, Inghams Mills where Full Military Honors will be accorded. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 from 5-8 pm and to attend the funeral services Thursday morning. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Harris be considered to the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose. Members of the Dolgeville-Little Falls Masonic Lodge # 796, F&AM will call in a body at the funeral home on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm to conduct their ritualistic services.