Norman Paul Harris

Norman Paul “Rip” Harris, 87, of Washington, died Sunday, June 28, 2015, in his home. He was born April 18, 1928, in Washington, a son of the late Ralph and Mildred Wiecheck Harris. A graduate of Washington High School, he served in the Army during the Korean War. Mr. Harris worked at Jessop Steel then as the bar manager at the George Washington Hotel. He was a fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved to cook. Mr. Harris enjoyed his camp in Elk County, which he bought with his two brothers in 1960 and named MOX-NIX Camp. He was a member of Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Disabled American Veterans, Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion, Hunt-Kennedy Post 639 of the American Legion, the VFW, Penn Field VFD, 25th Infantry Division 1950-53, 35th Infantry Regiment – Cacti Association G2-35th, and the Bennett Branch Water Authority. Mr. Harris was Catholic by faith. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Sara Yvonne “Bonnie” Harris; three sons, Mark Harris (Jan) of Big Bear, California, Jeffrey Harris (Peggy) of West Alexander, and Patrick Harris (Donna) of Washington; a daughter, Beth Ann Suhon (George) of West Alexander; two brothers, Ronald “Rock” Harris (Barb) of Washington and Ralph “Ed” Harris (Janice) of Taylorstown; 12 grandchildren, Christopher Phillips, Specialist Scott Harris, Gunnar Harris, Sara Harris, Alexandria Moore, Gina Suhon, Maria Suhon, Tina Panarello, George Suhon, Richard Suhon, Andrew Suhon and Christina Fuller; seven great-grandchildren; six nephews, Michael, Ronald, Thomas, Joseph Edward and Bill Harris; four nieces, Cheryl Johnston, Tracy Desmond, Judy Polen and Lisa Harris; several aunts; several cousins including June Harris McGill (Keith); a close neighbor, Vickie Logsdon; and the Core family in Michigan. Deceased are a son, Doug Harris; a stepson, Robert “Jack” Murphy; and a grandson, Mikel Rudy. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where a Blessing Service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 3rd, with Father Thomas O’Neil and John Wright co-officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.