JOHN HARRY, SR.

Today, we honor a remarkable man — our father. He was born in Georgetown, Guyana, where his early life taught him the values of hard work, community, and resilience. In the 1970s, he immigrated to the United States, determined to build a better future. Soon after arriving, he proudly joined the U.S. Army from July 30, 1970, to February 1, 1972, as an 82nd Airborne, where he served his new country with dedication and honor. He then married his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Harry, on February 9, 1972. He later attended Miami Dade Community College, where he majored in English and graduated with honors. John went on to dedicate his years of service to the United States Postal Service until June 1, 2021, where he was known for his dedication, integrity, and warm personality.

He will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and unwavering love for his family. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He was a father figure to many by opening his heart and his home with unmatched hospitality. His love for cooking brought our family together, and the beauty of his garden reflected the care, patience, and joy he poured into everything he touched.

Our father had an outgoing spirit, a charitable and thoughtful nature that made people naturally gravitate toward him. He wasn't just our dad — he became the neighborhood dad. Children came to our home knowing he would feed them, and young men came for guidance. He taught them how to fix cars, build things with their hands, and carry themselves with integrity. He gave his time freely because helping others was simply who he was.

One of our most treasured family memories is the wooden swing he built for his youngest children, Marquita Staples and John Staples, and his oldest grandchild, Xavier Harry. He didn't believe in plastic or temporary things — he believed in building something sturdy, meaningful, and lasting. I'll never forget the time I tried to cook dinner for him. I burned nearly everything, mixed up cabbage with lettuce, and proudly served him the most questionable salad imaginable. He sat there, ate it with a smile, and when he finished, he looked at me and said, "Kim, please get a good education… because you can't cook." That moment captures his honesty, his humor, and the way he encouraged us toward something better.  He instilled three core values in us: independence, the importance of education, and agricultural knowledge. He taught us to stand on our own, to keep learning, and to stay connected to who we are and where we come from.

We will miss his wisdom, his laughter, and his steady presence. But his legacy lives on in the people he helped, the lessons he taught, and the love he shared so freely.

John was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather. He will be dearly missed