Robert J. Harris, 83, beloved husband of Josephine Y. Harris, passed away on Monday in Bonita Springs, FL, surrounded by his wife and children after a long illness.

Born in Oneida, NY on February 26, 1934 to James and Katina Harris, Bob married his wife of 62 years, Josephine (Yiatras) in 1955.

A lifelong Syracusan, Bob attended Central High School and Syracuse University. He interrupted his college studies to enlist in the Marine Corp. Becoming a Marine had a profound impact on him, and he held the Marine Corp in the highest regard. He was involved with and supported Marine related activities and causes right up until his death.

Bob was a lifelong member of St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, Syracuse and also a member of St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Naples, Florida.

After the Marines, he entered the field of finance and investments. In 1960, he accepted employment at Loeb, Rhoades & Co. He went on to have a successful career as an investment advisor spanning more than a half century. He eventually joined Morgan Stanley (then Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.) as a Senior Vice President, where he frequently achieved Chairman's Club Status. Bob took great pride in knowing he was able to help individuals and families build wealth and achieve financial security.

Over the years he also had a hand in starting a few local companies and served on their board of directors.

Throughout his lifetime, he was actively involved in several Greek-American Organizations, including the Order of Ahepa, The Next Generation Initiative, and the American Hellenic Bankers Association. He was also a founding member of the American Hellenic Institute, Washington, D.C.

Bob was a lifelong member of the Lotus Club in New York City and an enthusiastic supporter of the Marine Corp Scholarship Fund.

He was an avid reader. He had a penchant for learning, was self-taught and wise. Bob was a long-time supporter of cultural and civic events in and around the Syracuse area. His lifelong hobby was stamp collecting, which contributed to his vast knowledge of geography and history. Bob’s greatest enjoyment in life was probably as a spectator at the sporting events of his son and grandchildren.

To know Bob was to know a man with an incredible sense of humor. He always had a funny story or joke to share. His generosity spread beyond family to the community at large and to the less fortunate. He lived his life as a model for his children and grandchildren, always striving to impart the values of hard work.

He was predeceased by his parents, James and Katina Harris. Bob is survived by his wife, Josephine Y. Harris; a daughter, Kathryn Harris Moramarco and son-in-law, Marc Moramarco of Andover, MA; a son, James R. Harris and daughter-in-law, Tara (Fogerty) Harris of Fayetteville; five grandchildren, Lindsay A. (Moramarco) Fuccillo of Dallas and her husband Joseph, Matthew C. Moramarco of Los Angeles, Bradford A. Harris, Abbey J. Harris and Mia K. Harris, all of Fayetteville; a sister, Clara H. Kalodikis, formerly of Syracuse and now of Shelby Township, Michigan; a niece, nephews and many dear friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 11 am at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, 325 Waring Road, Syracuse, NY. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Friday, December 8, 4 to 7 pm at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church.

To view or leave a condolence. Please visit our Condolences Page.