POLAND – Richard Wayne Harris, 84, of Poland, slipped away peacefully on Feb. 3, 2021. He was born on March 26, 1936, the son of Clarence and Elsie Harris of Auburn and Poland. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1954 and spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, coming home to marry Linda Bell. They made their home in Poland for the next 61 years in the 160-year-old family homestead where they raised two children.

Richard worked for 40 years as a meat cutter at Olfene’s, Cottle’s, and Hannaford supermarkets in Auburn and Lewiston. His greatest joy was being outside, especially at Lone Jack on Cold Stream Pond in West Forks where he fished for trout for more than 60 years. He loved hunting, bird watching, and playing cribbage. He was also an accomplished bowler and played ping pong, winning several local and state senior championships in both sports.

Richard loved a joke or story and always had one ready to tell. He loved his family and was fiercely proud of his children. He was kind, funny, and hardworking. Everyone that knew him described him as “a good man.”

He is survived by his wife Linda; his daughter Jody Harris of Augusta; and son Brian Harris of Westford, Mass..; a sister, Charlene Webster of Augusta; a niece and three nephews; and a close-knit family of cousins in Minot and Mechanic Falls.

There will be a graveside service at Lane Cemetery, Empire Road, Poland, on May 19, 2021, at 1 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 26 W. Dwinal St., Mechanic Falls. Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Richard Harris to Trout Unlimited, Maine Brook Trout Project, to preserve Maine’s native and wild brook trout. Send to: Jeff Reardon, Maine Brook Trout Director,

Trout Unlimited,

267 Scribner Hill Road,

Manchester, ME 04351