Obituary for Richard Max Harris II
Richard Max Harris II, 52, born November 2nd, 1969, died Thursday, July 7th, 2022. He ended his courageous fight against cancer with his wife, Sherry, his son, Hagen, and his daughter, Cecilia, by his side. Max beat cancer at age 51, participated in two clinical trials at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute after his second diagnosis, and ultimately passed at the UVM Medical Center. Max leaves behind his devoted wife, Sherry Sumner Harris; his children, Hagen Sumner Harris and Cecilia June Harris; his sisters Tracy Harris and Amy Harris and spouse, David Bissonette; his stepmother Susan Harris; his father in law, Albert Sumner; his sister in law, Carrie Sumner; and beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Richard Max (Dick) Harris, and his mother, Carol June Luebke.
At 11, Max moved to Colchester, Vermont, where he met his future wife and formed a group of lifelong friends. Max was a talented tennis player and skier in high school. His love for the mountains led him to Colorado, where he attended CU Boulder and found a crew of friends that would support him from anywhere, at any time, through the rest of his life. Max graduated, founded and wrote at the paper, Buffalo Sports News, and then moved to Florida to continue his career in journalism. He spent time with the Tampa Tribune and combined his passion for sports and writing while working at Sun Time. Max frequently visited his father and step-mother in NYC, and eventually reunited with his wife Sherry in the city. They began their family in Florida, but soon after moved with their son, Hagen, to Richmond, Vermont, and then welcomed their daughter, Cecilia.
Max lived in Richmond for 24 years. Max was an incredible father, community member, neighbor, and friend. He shared with his family his love for skiing, tennis, spending time on the lake, food and cooking, gardening, traveling, and his pets. He loved coaching his son's baseball teams, supporting local businesses, and spending time with family and friends. Max spent 23 dedicated years working at Gardeners Supply Company, where he held the positions of E-Commerce Manager and Chief Marketing Officer. He transformed GSC’s online presence and prided himself on participating in initiatives to make gardening accessible and sustainable.
Max was loved by many; the family is incredibly grateful to the outstanding team of caregivers and doctors that helped him fight cancer these past few years. If you would like to honor Max, the family asks that you make a contribution in his honor to either the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, or the American Cancer Society. A celebration of Max’s life will be held at a later date.
At 11, Max moved to Colchester, Vermont, where he met his future wife and formed a group of lifelong friends. Max was a talented tennis player and skier in high school. His love for the mountains led him to Colorado, where he attended CU Boulder and found a crew of friends that would support him from anywhere, at any time, through the rest of his life. Max graduated, founded and wrote at the paper, Buffalo Sports News, and then moved to Florida to continue his career in journalism. He spent time with the Tampa Tribune and combined his passion for sports and writing while working at Sun Time. Max frequently visited his father and step-mother in NYC, and eventually reunited with his wife Sherry in the city. They began their family in Florida, but soon after moved with their son, Hagen, to Richmond, Vermont, and then welcomed their daughter, Cecilia.
Max lived in Richmond for 24 years. Max was an incredible father, community member, neighbor, and friend. He shared with his family his love for skiing, tennis, spending time on the lake, food and cooking, gardening, traveling, and his pets. He loved coaching his son's baseball teams, supporting local businesses, and spending time with family and friends. Max spent 23 dedicated years working at Gardeners Supply Company, where he held the positions of E-Commerce Manager and Chief Marketing Officer. He transformed GSC’s online presence and prided himself on participating in initiatives to make gardening accessible and sustainable.
Max was loved by many; the family is incredibly grateful to the outstanding team of caregivers and doctors that helped him fight cancer these past few years. If you would like to honor Max, the family asks that you make a contribution in his honor to either the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, or the American Cancer Society. A celebration of Max’s life will be held at a later date.