JUDGE C. ROLAND HARRIS

My condolences to the beautiful family he left behind.

Roly sure did light up a room and will be greatly missed.

As a friend and a neighbour you will be truly missed. My condolences to the entire family.

I only ever heard the amazing stories of Roly from his daughter but I know Summer, and I can’t imagine that the father of such an empathetic, funny, charismatic, strong and supportive daughter would be anything but extraordinary. Thinking of all of you at this time.

I am so sorry for your loss Summer. Sending condolences to you and your family.
Audrey Russell

I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your father. May you find comfort in the cherished moments you shared together, and may his memory bring you peace. 🖤 What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. Mr Harris has made a difference in so many lives. May he be granted the peace he deserve. Deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss. He will be forever missed. 🕊️🤍

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of our dearest friend, Roly Harris. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.

Benjamin had the pleasure of knowing Roly for over 70 years, Roselyne knew him for 50 years. We shared many wonderful memories together, including trips to Aspen Cove Newfoundland, Québec City to see the Tall Ships, and birthday parties in Barrie.

Roly’s friendliness was truly remarkable. He had a unique ability to talk with anyone and make new friends wherever he travelled. We will miss him.

Benjamin Keevil and Roselyne Cossette

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of our dearest friend, Roly Harris. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.

Benjamin had the pleasure of knowing Roly for over 70 years, Roselyne knew him for 50 years. We shared many wonderful memories together, including trips to Aspen Cove Newfoundland, Québec City to see the Tall Ships, and birthday parties in Barrie.

Roly’s friendliness was truly remarkable. He had a unique ability to talk with anyone and make new friends wherever he travelled. We will miss him.

It was an absolute privilege to have Roly as a friend. We both shared a passion for music and sports. I will always remember going to concerts with Roly and waiting afterwards, at his insistence, so we could meet the artists and get an autograph and , maybe a photo. We were often the oldest guys at the concert, but we had a great time acting as perpetual teenagers . We once saw a bumper sticker on the back of a VW Van that summed it up nicely: “We might be old, but we saw all the best bands.”

It was the highlight of the year, every year, to spend a weekend with Roly and Janie at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Roly loved that festival. Perhaps one highlight was the year Gordon Lightfoot sat down behind us and Roly and Janie and my wife had an enjoyable chat with a true legend. Of course, Roly also meet such notables as Ray Charles, Janice Joplin and Tony Bennett just to name a few of his favourites.

Roly’s amazing collection of memorabilia is a Smithsonian quality reflection of music, movies and politics. It was always a fascinating time asking Roly about his well curated treasures Every item had a unique and humorous story. Janie patiently endured each retelling and embellishment.

I am really gong to miss my pal. My deepest condolences to Janie and the Harris family.

Janie, Summer, Christian Stewart, Mrs. Moyes and family,

I’m heartbroken for you all. Although I haven’t seen you all in many years, I have such nice memories of Roly. When you all would visit Seymour Avenue back in the late 70’s early 80’s, he was always smiling and helping Mrs. Moyes. From everything I could see as a young child then, Roly was a wonderful husband and son in law, not to mention a very kind and fun dad! My deepest condolences to you all.

Cindy

I am so sorry to hear of Roly’s passing. I worked with Roly at the Barrie Court House and it made my day to walk into his chambers and see all of his memorabilia which he was so proud of and he would explain what the significance of each and every piece was. It was a joy to know Roly and work with him. He had an amazing personality and sense of humour.

My condolences to Janie and family during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all.

Still Speechless

Good Bye MY FRIEND

My deepest condolences to Justice Harris’s family. I enjoyed working with and for Justice Harris. I will miss him very much. He was always kind, witty and has an infectious humour. RIP Your Honour ❤️❤️❤️

Janie and family,

We were deeply saddened by the news of Roly’s passing and we send our heartfelt condolences. We are truly honoured to have had his friendship over the years. So many will miss him; his antics, his sense of humour, his brilliant mind and his never ending stories of his lovely wife and wonderful children, whom he loved dearly. You are all in our thoughts at this difficult time.

Sincerely, Pat, Ed and Ryker

Pepe and I met Roly during our first year of law school some 53 years ago and have been great friends ever since. It was our mutual interest in sports that drew us together especially as long suffering Toronto Maple Leaf fans.
He has always had a strong personality and a great sense of humour and the ability to relate to people from all walks of life. He also had a keen intellect and it is not surprising how far he advanced in the legal profession. We went on several long trips with he and Janey and you couldn’t ask for more convivial traveling companions.
Roly was always very generous with his time and readily agreed to officiate at the wedding ceremonies of our two daughters. Pepe and I will always miss him and the good times we shared together with he and Janey

Our hearts are broken….gone too soon. Bob and I really only knew Roly through association with Janie. Janie and I were brand new nurses at the Port Arthur General Hospital, 3rd floor, men’s surgery, Thunder Bay back in the 70’s. Her to be husband was a lawyer and mine a teacher. We got to know Roly through his epic Christmas Letters. Each year, we felt like we personally knew the kids and all their achievements. He was so proud of you. Then the next level came…the precious grandchildren. Always the proud grandpa. We relished the news of the trips and the antics at the court house …all mixed with that sense of humor and love of mankind. Janie was the front and center of their life and Roly always said that “she was the glue”that held them altogether. I know she will still be that glue. Roly and Janie built this family together with love, patience and the hope for tomorrow. The memories don’t fade…they just become more precious. Rest in Peace, Roly. You did a great job. Our love to all.

To Janie and Family
We were saddened to learn of Roly’s passing. We always enjoyed our visits with him at judges get togethers, especially the xmas dinners.
He took over presiding in the Court in Collingwood when John retired in 1996. and we knew that it and the other Courts in Simcoe County would be well served.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
John and Ruth Gammell

Roly was one of the very best and will definitely be missed. We had great times together and have many memories to treasure. Our deepest and sincere sympathy to Janie and the family….

Roly was one terrific fellow, and one of a kind. He definitely will be missed. We had many fun times together and have great memories to treasure. Our deepest and sincere sympathies to Janie and the family.

Justice R Harris was one of my first experience in Criminal Court as a Court Reporter and I remember how he introduced me to everyone in the court and made me feel at home. He always had a warm and infectious humor. He was a Court Reporter’s Dream Judge with his signature “Pause Please”. You could never miss a word when working with His Honour.

In memory of his wonderful and happy spirit and amazing character, I will be having a Pause of silence.
Thank you for welcoming me into the MAG Justice Harris and I offer my sympathies to his family.

It is very difficult for me to wrap my head around the thought that Roly is no longer with us. Roly and I go back along way. We were probably three or four when we first met. We became good friends in Sunday school where we would chase one another around in the foyer of the church. Roly was always jovial, high spirited and full of fun. It was in those years that I bonded with Roly and thought of him as not only a good friend but as a brother. The feeling remained over the next 70 years.
Our condolences to Janie and the family.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Roly from Kindergarten at Davisville Public School around 1952 thru grade 8 then high school at North Toronto C.I.. We were classmates up to the 8thgrade then once in high school. We were also members of our local Boy Scout troop and spent an unforgettable week at Scout camp up in Haliburton once .Although I only saw him once back in 2012 since high school at our 100th high school anniversary but will always remember him. He always made you laugh , I do still have all my class photos from public school and the one from kindergarten has Roly sitting front and center unmistakable to this day with his smiling face looking at you.
Rest in Peace my old friend !

Dear Janie and Family
How fortunate we all are to have had Roly in our lives.
He will be greatly missed.

Roly and Janie were dear friends of my parents, and I have fond memories of babysitting Summer and Christian in the ‘house around the corner’. His interest in everyone and what they could accomplish was a valuable lesson on taking time to hear everyone’s story. He truly was larger than life.

As everyone gathers for Roly’s celebration of life I am reflecting on the fact that Roly and I were appointed as judges on the same day-August 8,1994, that he, Janie and I had a memorable trip to Istanbul and that he was the only White Sox fan I ever knew.

I can only think of him fondly and send Janie my sincerest condolences.

David

Roly was my good friend, colleague, and next-door-neighbour at the Barrie Courthouse. He was known as a man of eclectic tastes: a visit to his office was an eye-opening “walk down a memory lane” of sports, entertainment, judicial and other memorabilia, all indicative of his bright and searching mind. On the Bench, he combined an innate sense of kindness and understanding with a no-nonsense approach to justice. His sense of humour was legendary. Barb and I feel grateful for having known Roly, and know that the world has lost a good man with his passing. Janie, you and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers.

We were so sad to hear from Alissa Finnis that one of my dad Stan’s best friends had passed away and that I am so late to post on this wall. I remember Dad told me a story about sneaking into the neighbourhood church with Benjamin and Roly when they were in public school and that for some reason, it struck them all as hysterically funny and he said it may be the hardest the three of them ever laughed in their life. I wish I could ask him to make sure I have the story right. Cancer sucks. I’m happy Dad was there to welcome Roly to heaven and I am sure they are up to their old antics and enjoying one or two of Dad’s craft beers along with some Penrose fish and chips. Hugs to Janey from Alysa, David and Megan.

It saddens me to hear of Roly’s passing. I was a police constable in Brighton when we first met. He had a sense of humour that always brought on a smile. I recall performing my “Clown” routine in your back yard for one of the kids. RIP my friend Doug Phelan