Pittstown- Gerald L. “Jerry” Harris, 78, a longtime resident of Pittstown, died peacefully, Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Center with his loving family by his side.
Born in Waterford, March 27, 1946, Jerry is the son of the late James H. and Marion (Brown) Harris and for over 57 years the husband and best friend of Vivian (Kautz) Harris of Pittstown who survives. Jerry and Vivian were married on November, 25, 1967.
Jerry was a graduate of Tamarac High School and as a young man, worked as a mechanic at several area auto dealerships and service stations, becoming a “Master Mechanic” through self-training and much hard work.
More recently Jerry was employed by the Rensselaer County Highway Department, working at the Spicer Road substation. Over his 29 years of service, he earned the respect of his coworkers and neighbors alike for his work ethic as he worked his way through the ranks from crewmember to Sr. Foreman. Jerry retired in 2008.
Jerry was a Charter Member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., and in his younger years doubled up on his volunteerism by riding with two separate duty crews while earning an EMT designation.
His true love was the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company where he was a Life Member, a past Assistant Chief. He served on and chaired the Fire District’s Board of Commissioners, assisted on many Fire Truck Purchasing Committees and was a voice of reason and someone you could share any concerns with. He was a member and chairman of the Rensselaer County 800 Emergency Radio Committee and a former Fire Investigator for the county.
Jerry had many hobbies, including enjoying motorcycles, cars, and trucks. He started life as a Chevy man but soon transitioned to being a Mopar man with the purchase of his “Little Red Truck, which he loved driving and showing to his many friends. Above all else, Jerry cherished his time spent with Vivian, his grandchildren, his three boys at home and the crew at the fire house, all of whom he was so very proud.
In addition to his wife, Vivian, Jerry is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew and Laura Harris, Jason Harris, and Daniel and Tara Harris, all of Pittstown, four grandchildren, Jacob Harris, Daniel Harris, Jania-Lee Harris and LeeAnna Harris, a sister and two brothers, Catherine Harris, Leonard Harris, and Daniel Harris, three sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Linda Masters, Judy Kuscsik, Jean Jewett and James Kautz and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial service for Jerry will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Raymertown Lutheran Church, 27 Mason Lane, in Raymertown, with family friend, Rev. Bill Elwell, officiating. A light luncheon and reception will follow at the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., 60 Parker School Road in Pittstown at 12:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church in Raymertown on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company, 134 Parker School Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094 in memory of Gerald L. Harris.
Born in Waterford, March 27, 1946, Jerry is the son of the late James H. and Marion (Brown) Harris and for over 57 years the husband and best friend of Vivian (Kautz) Harris of Pittstown who survives. Jerry and Vivian were married on November, 25, 1967.
Jerry was a graduate of Tamarac High School and as a young man, worked as a mechanic at several area auto dealerships and service stations, becoming a “Master Mechanic” through self-training and much hard work.
More recently Jerry was employed by the Rensselaer County Highway Department, working at the Spicer Road substation. Over his 29 years of service, he earned the respect of his coworkers and neighbors alike for his work ethic as he worked his way through the ranks from crewmember to Sr. Foreman. Jerry retired in 2008.
Jerry was a Charter Member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., and in his younger years doubled up on his volunteerism by riding with two separate duty crews while earning an EMT designation.
His true love was the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company where he was a Life Member, a past Assistant Chief. He served on and chaired the Fire District’s Board of Commissioners, assisted on many Fire Truck Purchasing Committees and was a voice of reason and someone you could share any concerns with. He was a member and chairman of the Rensselaer County 800 Emergency Radio Committee and a former Fire Investigator for the county.
Jerry had many hobbies, including enjoying motorcycles, cars, and trucks. He started life as a Chevy man but soon transitioned to being a Mopar man with the purchase of his “Little Red Truck, which he loved driving and showing to his many friends. Above all else, Jerry cherished his time spent with Vivian, his grandchildren, his three boys at home and the crew at the fire house, all of whom he was so very proud.
In addition to his wife, Vivian, Jerry is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew and Laura Harris, Jason Harris, and Daniel and Tara Harris, all of Pittstown, four grandchildren, Jacob Harris, Daniel Harris, Jania-Lee Harris and LeeAnna Harris, a sister and two brothers, Catherine Harris, Leonard Harris, and Daniel Harris, three sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Linda Masters, Judy Kuscsik, Jean Jewett and James Kautz and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial service for Jerry will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Raymertown Lutheran Church, 27 Mason Lane, in Raymertown, with family friend, Rev. Bill Elwell, officiating. A light luncheon and reception will follow at the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., 60 Parker School Road in Pittstown at 12:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church in Raymertown on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company, 134 Parker School Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094 in memory of Gerald L. Harris.
