Life Story: Dennis Harris, 73; Former FHS Football Coach, Pop Warner Board Member

Mr. Dennis T. Harris departed this life on May 27 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick following a short illness. He was 73 years old.

Mr. Harris was born and raised in Danville, Virginia where he attended Danville public schools, subsequently graduating from John M. Langston High School. He relocated to New Jersey and lived in East Orange before moving to the Somerset section of Franklin Township in 1975.

He attended Hampton University (formerly Hampton Institute) and retired from IBM after 35 years of service in West Orange. He began a second career as an Attendance Officer for the Franklin Township Board of Education where he retired after 12 years of service. He spent more than 30 years coaching Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading and serving on their Executive Board. He also coached football at Franklin High School from 1982 to 1992. Mr. Harris was an exceptional bowler and softball player. He bowled for more than 40 years participating in many leagues throughout the state.

Mr. Harris was pre-deceased by his wife Shirley Harris; parents Thomas and Katherine Harris; three siblings, Eugene Harris, Shirley Featherstone, Rev. Jean A. Lewis, and brother-in-law Darryl Graves.

He is survived by his children Deron Harris of North Brunswick and Cheryl Wallace (Clarence) of Somerset; a sister Phyllis Green of Danville, Virginia; six grandchildren Dennis JT. Harris, Christopher Harris, Dominique Harris, Caylia Wallace, Cam’Ron Wallace, Cydney Wallace; three great-grandchildren Brooklynn Harris, Presleigh Harris, Trinity Harris; sister- in- law Wanda Graves of Columbia, South Carolina, his goddaughter Dawn Stewart-Harris (Jason); and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins and other relatives and dear friends.

Visiting will take place from 9-11 a.m. June 8 at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens on Somerset Street in Somerset, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Park in North Brunswick.

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