John “Robin” Harris

John “Robin” Harris, age 75, of Bluffton, SC died Thursday, January 19, 2017 at his home. Robin was born on September 8, 1941 in Elizabeth, NJ, the son of the late James Home Harris, Jr. and Ann Louise Whitlock Harris. Upon graduating from Westfield High School, he attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. At Bucknell, he was captain of the swim team and a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In 1965, he married Barbara Elcome Harris. Post-college, he served in the military at Fort Hancock, earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Robin had a 25 year career as a Marketing Representative and Account Manager with IBM, followed by a career with ADP in Roseland, NJ. His baby book lists his Favorite Playthings as ‘choo-choos of all descriptions’. How little did they know that his love of trains would become a lifelong passion, whether in the form of model railroading, or cross-country train trips. Robin was also an avid outdoorsman, be it summers spent at Ragged Lake camp as a boy, family trips to Alden Camps in Maine, or any of his numerous fishing and ski trips. Many a bet was won and lost pursuing his love of golf at Plainfield Country Club. Robin also learned the art of throwing the perfect party, a skill that served him (and countless others) well throughout his life. Following his retirement and his marriage to Sang Harris, Robin found a second stanza in life. Robin and Sang were inseparable. Together they traveled the globe with stops in England, France, Italy, Vietnam, China, Alaska, and all points throughout the Caribbean, among many others. They were avid cruise aficionados. Robin was often spotted on numerous gambling junkets, travelling to many of his favorite casinos throughout the United States. In 2008, Robin was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He would like his to be a cautionary tale to all men to get routine screenings in the hope that others would not suffer his fate. He handled his disease with unparalleled dignity and grace. Never one to feel sorry for himself, he always had a smile on his face and a positive spirit. His family wishes to thank his outstanding care staff at MD Anderson in Houston, led by Dr. Ana Aparicio. Mr. Harris was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother James Home Harris III. He is survived by his wife, Sang Harris and her daughter Diana Lauro Chamberjian; his children Christine Elizabeth Harris Pennington and James Scott Harris; his siblings Katherine ‘Cappi’ Post, Richard Harris, James ‘Arch’ Harris; and six grandchildren Katie, Josh, Sarah, and Nicky Pennington, and Will and Sophie Harris; as well as countless friends throughout the years. Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial celebration in honor of Robin’s life on Saturday, April 8th at 11:00AM at All Saints Episcopal Church, 500 W Lake Ave, Bay Head, NJ. A grand party as he would have wished to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate). Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, SC is assisting the family. www.saulsfh.com