Remembering Mike Harris

A community leader with a can-do spirit, Mike’s joyful service and generosity have created an enduring legacy.

Mike Harris knew how to get things done.

He had a knack for inspiring others to take action and tackle challenges by breaking them down in manageable steps to achieve a goal. And when he passed away on June 6, Mike left a legacy of a can-do spirit, selfless service, and a blueprint for a life well-lived.

Giving Back with Time & Treasure
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation had the fortune of having Mike as a tireless advocate who served a lengthy tenure on the organization’s Board of Directors, including serving as its Chair. And, through his decadeslong career as a trusts and estates attorney, he guided clients to create meaningful legacies through the power of planned giving.

“Mike brought a lot of joy and positivity to the board when he took on the leadership role,” said Karen Brown, a former VP of Development & Philanthropic Services at the Community Foundation. “He was a champion and ambassador for the Community Foundation, and it was easy for him to speak to others about it because he believed in the work that was being done.”

That belief in giving back to the community had always been central in Mike’s life, said his wife, Sally Harris. Mike was recognized as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County. And in 2008, he and Sally were both named Citizens of the Year by the Greenwich Chapter of Rotary International.

Viewing the World Through Mike’s Lens
Mike was passionate about arts and culture and loved traveling with his wife. Later in life, he found a way to merge all those passions through the lens of a camera. That passion led to his self-published photography collection Now You Can Take My Picture: Sharing Cultural Exchanges.

In the preface to the book, Mike wrote, “Nothing feels better to me than heading out, camera in hand, eyes wide open, searching for that perfect photograph.”

“His camera was the key to connecting with others,” said Sally, who shared a similar passion for photography. “He could approach anyone and start a conversation – that was his superpower. And it was so rewarding for the both of us.”

The couple held their first exhibition at the Cos Cob Library in 2014. Since then, their work has also been displayed at the Greenwich Library, the Bendheim Gallery in Greenwich, the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan, and the Greenwich and Stamford Art Societies.

And while he held many different positions, Mike’s favorite role was spending time with his wife and his two daughters. “Mike loved his family with his whole heart,” said Sally. “He will forever be missed, but his legacy and spirit of giving lives on through us.”

Learn how you can create a forever gift to your community: FCCFoundation.org/Future