Arthur Harris

Art Harris' name is synonymous with game of golf in Worcester County and beyond. He arrived for a job at the former Mount Pleasant Country Club in Boylston in 1957…and never left. Art was the much loved and respected golf pro for over thirty-eight years and an honorary member for over twenty-two years.

He was our local Arnold Palmer. They both believed as Arnold quoted 'Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.' Art always believed that he could successfully teach the golfer to master the game and all the while and equally important…enjoy it! Through his masterful instruction he helped so many golfers achieve a consistent and acceptable handicap that they could then play with anyone. It wasn't work for Art because he loved the sport and was lucky enough to enjoy it as his life's profession.

Along with many other familiar longtime employees and friends at Mount Pleasant like Dino Latuga, Artie Flagg, Jim O'Leary and Tom Walsh, greens superintendents Jim Beane and Todd Sauers these were the guys who made the club a desired membership. Art's relationships with members were also friendships including longtime friends, Ed and Carol Glick and Bob and Liz Frem.

Art was inducted into the New England Professional Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2016 of which he had been a member for over 65 years. He humbly acknowledged all his great connections, accomplishments and friendships in the sport as well as his love for his family. He also believed that this New England Chapter was the best run in the country.

In November of 1954 he married Marilyn I. DeLouis and they had a wonderful partnership for 66 years. They have made Shrewsbury their home where in fact the grass was actually greener on his side of the street on Founders Road. With his green thumb and inside tips from the greenskeepers at Mount Pleasant Art loved working in his yard and maintaining the greens of his yard.

Arthur Harris was born on March 26, 1928 in Melrose a son of the late Laurence and Leoni (Waggett) Harris. After graduating high school, he served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Art died in the comfort of his home on Saturday, May 15, 2021. He was 93.

His family offers thanks to the staff of Overlook Hospice for the tender care to Art and his family. Art will be remembered as a quiet, gentle and mild-mannered man who loved his family and was a wonderful teacher, husband, father and friend.

In heaven Art rejoins his sons, Robert A. Harris (†1985) and the late Richard L. Harris (†1991) and brothers, Donald Harris (late Camille), Jean Harris and Robert Harris (late Ruth).

In addition to his wife, Marilyn, he leaves his daughter, Janet L. Harris (Jon Hanson) of Shrewsbury; his brother, Roger Harris of Boxford (late Joan); his sister-in-law, Eleanor Harris of Oklahoma; also survived by nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor Art's life by gathering on Friday, May 21st at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, 284 E Temple St, Boylston where his funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Pastor John Blunt will officiate. Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. There are no calling hours.

Remember Art on your next round of golf. Memorials may be made to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 or www.ouimet.org

Arrangements by James & John Heald.



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A note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love and support, give them a virtual hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in some places of worship may also be private.

Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance.

Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding