Dr. Charles Harris
DATELINE: JOHNSTON RI
Dr. Charles Harris, 98, died Monday, January 18, 2021 at Briarcliffe Manor in Johnston, Rhode Island where he resided near his family. Charles was the beloved husband of the late Rachel (Bloomfield) Harris for 39 years. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Dr. Leon and Rachel (Berkowitz) Harris.
As a physician, Charles began his career as a pathologist and worked in cancer research. He worked at Rolling Hill Hospital in Montgomery County, PA and The Home for the Jewish Aged in Philadelphia, PA while he raised his family. He then moved to Island Heights NJ and opened his own practice as a General Practitioner in Toms River, NJ.
Charles loved the field of medicine. He was an independent thinker and contributed to his profession as a pathologist. To his patients, Charles was a fierce advocate, actively coordinating all of their medical care and interpreting all of the results for his patients’ benefit instead of just passing them off to the specialists. He wrote a book titled One Man’s Medicine published by Harper and Row and he wrote a weekly op-ed column for the Ocean County Observer in NJ called Medicine Ave.
Charles loved the bucolic borough of Island Heights where he lived for 48 years enjoying the ever changing view from his riverside home. He was well known and wrote a thought-provoking and sometimes provocative local flyer called Our Town.
When Charles wasn’t practicing medicine, he could be found on the tennis court or out sailing on Toms River. He loved music and practiced the piano, harmonica and trumpet daily as well as belonging to a local recorder group.
Charles is survived by his daughter Hana Dunham of Norwich CT, daughter Susan Isham and her husband Peter Isham of Norton, MA, his son Leon Harris and life-partner Susan Littlefield of Warwick, RI. He was the loving grandfather of Jesse Dunham and his fiancée, Marissa Rusch, Rachel Dunham, Irina “Nikki” Isham and Marina “Mia” Isham.
Funeral services and shiva were private due to COVID restrictions. There will be a Zoom celebration of life for which family and friends will be notified. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman St., #306, Providence RI 02906.
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Shalom Memorial Chapel
1100 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 463-7771
(877) 463-7771
Fax: (401) 463-7850
ShalomChapel@aol.com
Rest in peace Dr. Harris.
He and Mrs Harris were like family. I spent more than a few nights looking out over the river from their home and sleeping over while my Mom, Leigh Murphey played Bridge with Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Miller and Mrs Walsh.
I remember Dr. Harris riding his bike around town and enjoying sailing on the river.
My condolences to his wonderful family. He was a great man.
I remember his enthusiasm, his generosity, his wit, his obvious love of life and of course his love of history and music. He was a pleasure to spend time with and I will miss him, especially on Thanksgiving, which will never be the same without him.
Dr. Charles was awesome. I had the pleasure of visiting him at the Lodge when he and my mother were there together. Their friendship was the reason I didn’t move my mother back to Florida. I could visit her frequently, so I am so grateful to him for this. We discussed music, and NY times articles. Dr Charles, my husband, my mother and I played pool together near the library at the Lodge at Waterman Lake. He was intelligent, well spoken, with a quick wit and elegant manner. He made my mother feel special. We will never forget Dr Charles. He is missed.