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James Harris Obituary
Dr. James C. Harris, 80, of Baltimore, Md., passed away Monday. He was married to Dr. Cathy DeAngelis, a native of Old Forge, for 41 years.
Born Nov. 6, 1940, in Birmingham, Ala., he was the son of the late James C.O. and Mary V. Respess Harris. He graduated from the University of Maryland and the George Washington School of Medicine and completed a residency and a fellowship in adult and in child and adolescent neuropsychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
He founded the autism programs at Johns Hopkins and the Kennedy Center, and authored the textbook that defined the field of developmental neuropsychiatry, which won the Doody's Medical Book of the Year Award. He served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Public Health Service from 1967-70 in Thailand. He and his wife traveled to the seven continents where they advised, lectured and taught.
In addition to his wife, Cathy, he is survived by a brother, John R. Harris, Alexandria, Va.; two sisters-in-law, Seena DeRobertis, Old Forge; and Grace Herron, Clarks Summit; 10 nieces and nephews; 26 grandnieces and nephews; and three great-grandnieces and nephews; and thousands of medical faculty, fellows, residents, students and nurses.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Harris.
In lieu of flowers, anyone who so desires may send a contribution to the Professor James C. Harris, M.D. Leadership Fund at the Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry.
The funeral service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Louis V. Ciuccio Funeral Home, 145 Moosic Road, Old Forge. Interment, Old Forge Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those attending the viewing or funeral are kindly asked to follow safety measures of wearing a mask and socially distancing. To leave an online condolence or for directions, please visit the funeral home's website at ciucciofuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Harris
Sponsored by Louis V Ciuccio Funeral Home.
January 3, 2022
Hello Cathy,
Think I only met you once, maybe, though I helped Jim plan your wedding and heard how much he loved you and anticipated the happy and productive lives you had together. Knowing Jim, who contributed to so many important milestones in my life, from the time we shared undergraduate pre-med-classes togther. His getting up VERY early, so our "small tribe of good friends" could go see Robert Frost, in person< at the Library of Congress, together was one of the many "wonderful gifts" he gave to all of us. Clearly, you and Jim have lived lives of generous giving to thousands of children, and their families at Hopkins, over the years. His love and devotion, and happiness for you, and your many accomplishments, illustrated for me that he appreciated strong and accomplished women, a rare breed of man, in our "glass-ceiling breaking" lifetimes. May I say, as one who saw Jim too rarely in my later yers, I am so grateful that his life could unfold so creatively, as it did, because you were his beloved partner.
Much gratitude for the educational and healing work that Jim Harris contributed to our troubled and wounded world. Many blessings.
Namaste, Roberta Shoemaker-Beal
Susan Shurin
April 26, 2021
Dear Cathy, I am so sorry to learn of Jim's death. When I was an intern - with my infant son Jonathan, now 50 with growing kids - you and he were senior residents. One night in the NICU, I went to find Jim to report on some very sick infants whom the other senior residents would have been micromanaging. Jim was in a conference room doing TaiChi. I asked if he wanted to come check on the kids. He said, "Not necessary. I trust you." It was one of the most empowering experiences of my Harriet Lane internship, and endeared Jim to me forever. With much love and deepest sympathy, Susan
Barbara Howard
April 20, 2021
Jim was an inspiration to me and always an amazing font of knowledge. He will be missed by his innumerable patients and colleagues. May his memory be a blessing.
Jane Oski
April 12, 2021
Dearest Cathy and all that loved, admired and respected the work that Jim did throughout his career and after retirement to improve the condition for children and adolescents with mental and behavioral health disorders. His gentle demeanor and inquisitive mind will live on in my memory and the memories of legions of students, trainees and peers. What a loss. I love you both and will be in touch. I am sending huge hugs to you. I understand your grief and wish I could be there to share.
Joyce Harrison
April 9, 2021
It's difficult to articulate the depth of the loss I feel both professionally and personally. Jim and Cathy were our surrogate parents during residency, with pizza and movie nights, and Jim was deeply committed to training and the Division of Child Psychiatry throughout his career and life. His welcome tour of Hopkins to incoming trainees was legend. He was the historian and documentarian of the Division of Child Psychiatry at Hopkins, having been there at its inception. His photographs at graduations, retirements will be cherished. Although he is irreplaceable, his spirit will live in the hundreds of trainees and faculty members he mentored.
Marjorie Fessler
April 7, 2021
I was so sorry to hear of Jim´s death. I worked with him in the 1980s in the JHMI Dept of Child Psychiatry (Pediatric Cortical Function Lab) as a psychologist. He was a masterful clinician who loved working with residents and fellows, and his wealth of knowledge and experience inspired many others.
Rheanna Platt
April 7, 2021
Im so sorry to hear this news. As junior faculty in the division of child and adolescent psychiatry at JHU I was amazed by the breadth of his knowledge and experience and the fact that advocacy was a such an important part of the work that he did- what a rare combination. What a gift to the world he was.
cedric egeli
April 7, 2021
My last memory is of you and James in the basement of Turner Hall. You were so sweet and petite. James was busy talking to many people including my daughter, Ingrid. James was a beautiful ma , in spirit and physic. He was fine tuned to art.
Tina Cheng
April 7, 2021
Dear Cathy,
I am so sad to hear this news. I remember him as a staunch advocate for children and families and child psychiatry. He always reminded us of importance of history in informing our future. He has left a legacy of leadership. Thinking of you. Please take care. I hope to catch up soon.
Tina
Carol Burti
April 7, 2021
Life has changed...not ended.....his Spirit lives on......Dr.D.....know you are especially being prayed for at this time.Allow yourself to mourn. God´s peace.....Carol B. and Family
Sue McLeer, Professor Emerita DUCOM
April 6, 2021
Dear Cathy, Was both shocked and deeply saddened to learn that Jim had died. My heart goes out to you and the rest of your family. What a shock for you!
Jim's legacy as a leader, scholar, clinician, and educator will live on through the thousands of people whose lives he has touched. But words fail me in addressing the loss you must feel. Sending you hugs, with hope that your memories of him will comfort you. With love, Sue
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