Carlton Harris Obituary (1952 - 2022) - Stratford, Connecticut

Our beloved Carlton Harris passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 30, 2022. Born March 15, 1952 in St Georges, Grenada to the late Fitzgerald and Sylvinia Harris. He is survived by his wife and companion of 43 years, Rosalind Harris. Children: Mark and Laura Crafter Harris; grand-children Mark Jr., Justice, Emiah, Anahlah, Rylee, Kaleb, Michael Jr. and Harmony. Siblings: Matthew Harris (Grenada), Christine Thomas (Brooklyn, NY) and Anastashia Tyndale (Canada). Neices: Jacqueline, Norsa and Anika (Brooklyn, NY) Sharlene (St Thomas) Kim, Rachel, Tracy (Grenada) Libby (Canada) Marcelle (Maryland). Nephews: Jerry, Brian, Willard, Wayne, Stephon, Quasi and Matthew (Grenada) and Darren (Canada) and other members of the Harris, Lewis, Morris, Woodroffe, Modeste and Nicholas families. Predeceased by siblings: Claudette Alfred, Veronica Jardine and Andrew Harris. Carlton was devoted to family and loved each one immensely, especially his grands whom he gave pet names. He would often say, "As long as my familys alright, Im alright and nothing else bothers me." Carlton was a staunch Patriots fan long before their winning streak and after; he also enjoyed soccer matches, game shows, old westerns, dominoes, checkers and many genres of music (especially Reggae). Our memory banks are filled with years of humorous and captivating stories of his life in Grenada as a young man with his special cousin Julien the self-taught mechanic who would get any old broken-down car running from abandoned car parts right down to the tires so that they could cruise the roadways of Grenada "no license needed". Yes, Julien, Kent, Kenneth and Alrick (PaPa) were all family and partners in mischief. Stories of everyday life happenings on the family plateau overlooking the ocean where Carlton would challenge anyone to fly a kite higher, run faster, or kick a soccer ball harder to make a scoring goal. The ocean was his playground as he would swim daily, tread water to catch large coins tossed from docked cruise ships, underwater spear shoot and net for the catch of the day, ride horses on the beach from a neighboring stable, all while cooking a pot of cabbage and dumplings on open flames nearby. Carlton never met a stranger and his greetings were always boisterous with a smile. He kept us laughing with his quick-whit and off-beat humor. There was no such thing as a small act of kindness, to him every act of kindness was large and appreciated. Carlton worked for the US Postal Service and Pepperidge Farm, prior to retiring from the Board of Education as a custodian for Norwalk public schools in 2014, but never one to be idle shortly thereafter (staying true to his ocean calling) began part-time work at the Marina until his passing; thereby living his favorite quote: "A mans gotta do, what a mans gotta do." A memorial service was held for Carlton on January 14, 2023 with family and friends in attendance. He is sorely missed by loved ones and those who had the pleasure of calling him a friend.