David Paul Harris, 70, of Naples, Fl. and Franklin, Ma., passed away Tuesday, January 21,
2025 at his home in Naples, Fl.. He was born in Boston, Ma. on November 14, 1954 and was a
graduate of Norwood High School (Norwood, Ma) class of 1972. Dave went on to continue his
higher education at Wentworth Institute of Technology where he graduated with high honors and
next graduated from Northeast University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
He was the devoted father to three children: Angela Harris and her spouse Kevin James,
Matthew Harris, and Danielle Harris and her spouse Michael McCarthy. He was “Grumpa” to
four grandchildren: Ryan and Maddelyn James and Alex and Mae McCarthy. Dave was the son
of Marjorie (Doherty) Harris and the late David C Harris of Walpole, Ma and Bonita Springs, Fl,
and brother to Linda Little of Venice, Fl. and the late Joe C Harris of Foxboro, Ma. He was Uncle
Dave to Joe, Nicole, and Sarah Harris. Dave also had many cousins whom he considered his
sisters and brothers.
Dave was employed as an Aerospace Engineer at Parker Hannifin for many years. While his
priority was always his children, in his free time, Dave never lacked interest in a long list of
rotating hobbies. Some special ones that are near and dear to his children include: using his
prized JBL speakers to wake up everyone in the house with loud rock n’ roll music, playing
poker, spending endless hours on the beaches of Cape Cod and Naples, reading books of
history, aviation, and the solar system, building model ships, cannons, and planes, riding his
bike, going for walks, and finally, admiring muscle cars alongside his best friends. Dave has
spent time with the Ship Building Club in Naples.
Dave had several life-long friendships that he cherished dearly. He always made his family and
friends laugh and for that, he was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
His family is planning a Celebration of Life in Massachusetts at a later date.
Online condolences may be offered at www.naplesfuneralhome.com
Jeff Brady
January 26, 2025, 5:29 pm
Will miss you David!! Had fun with you over the years and especially during our yard sale excursions around the Franklin area. You did a wonderful job raising your children who I got to know over the years!! We will miss you here in Naples and when Johnny boy comes and we get together, we will always toast to you! Rest in peace my friend!
Jeff Brady
Naples, Fl
Allan & Alison Baillie
January 26, 2025, 7:04 pm
Our deepest condolences to Dave’s family. May he rest in peace.
Allan & Alison Baillie
Becky and Bill Tindall
January 27, 2025, 1:27 am
Very sorry for Dave’s family’s loss, and hope your many memories give you peace and comfort. I remember Dave telling me about being ‘Grumpa’, he cherished his grands and they brought him a lot of joy.
Robert Culhane
January 27, 2025, 1:43 am
So sorry for your loss.
Ginny Sawyer
January 27, 2025, 6:11 pm
Words cannot express how many are feeling over the loss of David. My condolences to everyone that loved Dave!!
David was my first cousin, one year younger than me. His Mom, Aunt Marge and my mom Gin, were very close only sisters until my mom passed in 1998. So growing up we were always together doing something those two or both parents hatched up!
One funny memory is when I decided I was too old to continue using my family nickname, Ginare. At my request, everyone started calling me Ginny, even my 5 siblings. But, 50 years later, to Cousin Dave I was Ginare and that’s what he called me!
We had so many adventures growing up. I remember his house he grew up in on Cedar St. There was a rock ledge in his backyard that we used to jump off of (even though Dave said his dad said we couldn’t) but he jumped off anyway with the rest of us and in the winter when it snowed, we would sled over that rock wall. So when we finally went into the house, we would raid Uncle Dave’s beat up Cookie jar because Cousin Dave pointed to where his Dad might have hid it!
Dave was a kind and gentle guy. He was a great friend, cousin and Dad too. He was fun to be around and I think he liked hanging with the Shaw’s because you could count on him being at most any gathering we had and we looked forward to seeing him. We will miss him not physically being there – but he will be there in spirit because he never missed a Shaw party lol!I
I think I can speak for my siblings when I say that Dave felt more like a brother than a cousin. Now he’s another angel flying high with my mom & dad, his dad, his brother Joe, and my brother Stephan (in addition to many he loved or loved him) !!
RIP dear Cousin Dave…. I love you❤️. For ever, Cousin “Ginare”
ROBERT A BURKE
January 29, 2025, 2:49 pm
MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES ON BEHALF OF CLASS OF 72 NORWOOD HIGH SCHOOL ! RIP AND GODSPEED BURKA HERE
William Robbins
February 3, 2025, 12:05 am
Sorry for your loss.Dave was my boss at Parker in Devens Ma. We had some good laughs with Dave when he was in the area he would meet with us for lunch it was good to see him he will be missed
Dave McKnight
February 3, 2025, 1:01 am
Dave was a wonderful guy. He always put his friends and family first. He never met a manufacturing challenge he could not tackle, with a smile. I loved working with Dave. He had a creative energy that could light a room and a great perspective on things. I admired his desire to learn, always reading history books or “How to” books. I also admired his shear enthusiasm for designing and crafting scaled Revolutionary War cannons. We did not see each other often once he relocated to FLA, but when we did our conversations would pick right up where they left off. I always appreciated Dave’s Saturday AM donut runs to my house in Mendon, MA to spend time with my kids. He cherished his family as well.
I will miss my friend and think of him often.