NORTH READING — The North Reading Fire Department mourns the loss of Retired Chief and loving father and husband Nelson Harris, who passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 91.
Chief Nelson Harris served a total of 33 years as a firefighter, including 13 years as Chief of the North Reading Fire Department.
Appointed as a firefighter on Sep. 2, 1955, Harris was promoted to Lieutenant on April 1, 1958; Captain on March 27, 1959; Acting Deputy Chief on Aug. 6, 1968; and Deputy Chief on March 1, 1969. Harris became a charter member of North Reading Firefighters Local 1857 on June 13, 1969.
Harris served as the Chief of the North Reading Fire Department from July 26, 1973 until his retirement in 1986.
North Reading Fire Department Chief Don Stats paid homage to the retired chief, saying that, “Chief Harris was a strong leader who created a legacy of service, innovation, and uncompromising professional standards that continues to this day. I am honored to follow in his footsteps and build on the foundation that he created as one of the longer-serving chiefs in our Department’s history.”
The Harris family has no funeral arrangements to share at the time and kindly asks the community to keep the family among their thoughts and prayers.
