Allen Connie Harris (Social Studies Teacher /Wrestling Coach) (Deceased), Dearborn, MI Michigan

In Memory

Allen Connie Harris (Social Studies Teacher /Wrestling Coach) VIEW PROFILE

Mr. Harris's Obituary

Allen Connie Harris, born October 23,1945 in Fresno California, passed away in comfort and peace on August 10, 2022. He was 76 years old. His death was accidental. He fell downstairs, fractured 15 ribs, and punctured his lung. He was a kind and wonderful man. His late wife, Joy, passed in June 2022, after a long battle with cancer.

Allen was raised in the Detroit Metro area. He was born with congenital glaucoma, resulting in partial blindness. Blindness, however, was a characteristic which influenced but did not define his future. He was a bright, tenacious, and active child and teen. He attended the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, where he was a champion wrestler. At age fifteen, he sustained an injury during a match, losing his remaining sight. He went on to attend Wayne State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He earned his degree in history. He married, began teaching social sciences, was a wrestling coach at Fordson, Dearborn High, and Edsel Ford High School before starting a family. For more than 50 years, Allen was an extremely active member of the National Federation of the Blind. He passionately served in various leadership roles, including being elected to the Board of Directors. Retiring after 35 years of teaching, Allen found an entirely new and rewarding career. He and his wife Joy moved to Albany where he served as Assistant Director of the New York Commission for the Blind. He later went on to become Director of Blind Services for the state of Iowa. Allen was recognized for his distinguished service by the National Governors Association. To be certain, the accomplishment of which he was most proud and delighted most in, was his family. He would frequently orate to anyone who would listen, the most current details and activities of his children and grandchildren. Truly, his happiest days, were spent on trips and vacations where he could listen to the sound of the ocean, surrounded by family, discussing current events and of course, Michigan and Alabama college football. Allen was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Joy Kiffner Harris, his parents, William and Doris (Ruth) Harris, and by the mother of his three children, Sue Kesselring Harris. He is survived by his daughters Jennifer Harris of Ann Arbor, Kathryn Harris Palmer of Garden City (Nick) and sons Eric Harris (Nicole) of Livonia and Bryan and Scott Parobek of Birmingham Alabama. Affectionately named Papa by his grandson Drew, Allen has twelve grandchildren. Scott, Jamielyn, Taylor, Alyssa, Drew, Nicholas, Braxton, Bryson, Matthew, Collin, Brooklyn and Samantha. He is also survived by his sister, Paula Harris of Fresno California and his two nieces, Polly and Abby Bispo. He is also survived by his sisters in law Jay Cobbs and Ruthann Kiffner of Birmingham, Alabama. Allen was a giant of a man, and he will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him. Remembrances can be made in care of Eric Harris: 18903 Comstock Livonia, MI 48152 Visitation Tuesday, August 16, 2022 from 2:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Dearborn Chapel of Voran Funeral Home, 23701 Ford Road. (313) 278-5100. Funeral service Tuesday 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A live stream of the funeral service will be provided for the public. Please go to Allen's tribute wall on his obituary page and a link will be available. Please share memories and/or leave condolences on Allen’s tribute wall.