Kevin Michael Harris

Kevin Michael Harris passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021 at this home of two decades in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts due to complications from pneumonia. He was born on June 7, 1954 in Boston to Helena E. (Ames) Harris of Hampden and the late James E. Harris. Upon graduating high school, he saw upholstery job ads in the newspaper. After looking up the word “upholstery” in the dictionary, he was hooked. For the next four decades, this was his trade. Previously, he worked for the Sherbrooke-Highland Upholstery Company and later would go on to own the company. Kevin was a unique craftsman and as a hobby he collected antiques. Kevin and his brother Jim (predeceased) were first generation Deaf. A Deaf son, Daniel Kevin Harris is also predeceased (August 2016). Kevin is survived by his sister Kathleen A. Foss of Hampden, two remaining Deaf sons, Jay Samuel Harris (Keri Brooks) of Flordia and Charles Harris of Maryland, and two grandchildren Jairo Harris (3rd generation Deaf) and Isla Brooks Harris. During the last 53 years of Kevin’s life, he battled alcoholism. He often shared this quote with loved ones: “Alcoholism has possessed me but the truth is that I love you.” Arrangements have been entrusted to the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA, 01118.