Stephen John Harris, Jr.

Stephen John Harris, Sr., known as Steve to his loved ones, passed away in the early morning hours on September 14th, 2021 one month following the celebration of his 90th birthday with his family and friends.  He died peacefully in his sleep from natural causes at his family home in Mt. Lebanon, which he shared with his beloved wife, Rania, to whom he had been married for more than 50 years.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by his four children, John (Julie), Porter (Peter) May, Nicholas (Phoebe) and Stephen Jr., and ten grandchildren - Alexandra, Stephen, Andrew and Matthew Harris, Savannah, Henry and Scarlett May, Stephen, Coleman and Nicholas, Jr. Harris -  as well as nieces, nephews and cherished extended family. He was predeceased by his beloved sister Amanda Stamas and brother George.

Born on August 7th, 1931 to the late John G. and Pota Harris, Steve grew up in Pittsburgh. At an early age he began working at his family’s historic floral shop, Harris Brothers Florists. He eventually attended the University of Pittsburgh and earned his undergraduate and law degree.  He also served his country in the United Sates Army, stationed at Fort Gordon in Georgia, before embarking on a fruitful legal career in Pittsburgh where he eventually rose to the position of Managing Partner at the law firm Litman Litman Harris & Brown.

Steve was very active in the Greek Orthodox community of Pittsburgh and was very involved in his church, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where he was the Sunday School Director for over 40 years and served as a legal advisor to the church.

In his retirement, he enjoyed watching old movies and savoring delectable nightly dinners prepared by his loving wife, Rania, who took impeccable care of him throughout his entire life.  Steve also enjoyed spending every holiday with his family, along with annual vacations to Kiawah Island, SC, where the family had travelled every summer for the past 40 years. He was loved and admired by family and friends alike. He was a consummate gentleman, a gentle and loving husband and a truly wonderful father and grandfather, known as Papou.

Friends will be received on Sunday, September 19th from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street.  Trisagion Service will be held at 7 pm on the evening of September 19th at the funeral home.  Visitation will continue on Monday, September 20th from 10 AM until an 11 AM funeral service at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral located at 419 South Dithridge Street in Pittsburgh, PA. At the request of the family, masks are optional but suggested.

Donations may be made in Steve’s memory to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen John Harris, Jr., please visit our floral store.