John K. Harris (“Jack,” “Uncle Jack,” “Daddy John”) passed away on August 3, 2022 in Bronx, NY at the age of 79. Born in Linton Park, St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies, John was the second born child of Ruth and Harvey Harris. As a child, John had a knack for artistic creativity and building things, so naturally, after attending Kingston
Technical College, John went on to work for the West Indies Glass Company in Kingston, Jamaica—the city where he met his future wife, Hilda. In the 1970s, John moved to New York City to join Hilda, and together they built a life for their family in The Bronx.
True to his innate talents, John worked for the MTA as an award-winning electro- mechanical engineer until he retired in 2009. After retiring, he could be found playing music, creating art, and spending time with his beloved family. Those who know John best describe him as generous, kind, supportive, and present. He was a loving husband, doting father, and dependable friend.
John is preceded in death by his sister, Hazel (“Pat”), and brother, Errol. He is survived by his loving wife, Hilda, his son, Carl (Roxanne), his daughters, Juliet, Yolanda (Bobby), Sherine (Enrique), and Jonelle, his sister, Monica, and adopted sister, Carmen. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He is loved dearly by all, will be missed greatly, and his memory will be cherished forever.
We wish to express our sincere appreciation for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. John, Jack, Daddy John brought so much joy and love to many. Those memories will live beyond today and will place a smile on our faces when the thoughts of him make their way to the forefronts of our minds. The continuous prayers, words of encouragement, phone calls, text messages, visits, and love mean so much as they provided strength and comfort. We love you.
– The Family
A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 from 04:00-08:00 PM at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel in New Rochelle, NY. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 11:30 AM with interment to follow at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY.
CHANGE
Some people change like each tide that hits the shore
Some people change like the snowflake that melts at the door.
Some people change their friends like slippers on the floor.
To some change is just another word, a verb: make different
Dad was the opposite of change, not an opposition but just loyal to what he loved…for he was ultimate Reggae music lover, eclectic, he gave everything an ear, but nothing captured his soul’s story like hearing a Wailers intro. He taught me that art tells stories sometimes it jumps right at you, sometimes you hear piece by piece which is why you keep going back to listen, to see, to read and even taste. That is why God gave us senses.
He would clamp those giant earphones that covered his ear as if he were in a surround sound booth, he sat back into the sofa and just reminisce or escape back to a place where the music ignited the once dulled and, archived memories.
I never saw the big deal about how a song or music could evoke such passion. How one man’s stories or poetry could so closely resonate to another, until one day. I randomly picked up one of his vast collection of cassettes. It was a man named Sam Cooke.
Figured Cooke must be about food…but then I heard the most amazing song that still to this day brings a tear to my eye. Because it made me say, “I get it now.” It summed up the Black experience and the hope, the reason we turn to Jesus, and invest in family. The song was “Change gonna come.”
It CHANGED my thoughts of the future from being HOPELESS to HOPEFUL.
By: Carl K. Harris, Son
