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Greece students remember teacher who 'touched so many lives'

Posted October 18, 2007 11:00 pm

Colleen M. Farrell

Carrying candles and flowers and heavy hearts, they gathered at dusk to remember a man whose legacy, they say, won't be forgotten.

Hundreds - parents, students, alumni and staff - spilled into Greece Arcadia High's parking lot Thursday night to pay tribute to teacher Brian Harris. Mr. Harris, 31, of Hamlin was killed when his truck struck an overpass on Lake Ontario State Parkway on Wednesday.

Mr. Harris was a health teacher at a number of the district's schools, but much of his time was spent at Arcadia. The school held a candlelight vigil Thursday to honor him.

Mr. Harris was extremely proud to be a Titan, those who knew him said. He showed up at students' games, ate lunch with the kids and was filled with school spirit. Many of the mourners wore maroon and white ribbons on their shirts. Banners inside the school asked students to wear school colors - maroon and white - along with black, Friday.

A large white cross was set up near the main entrance and after an hour, its front was already filled with handwritten messages. Bouquets were laid at its feet, along with candles and a framed picture of Mr. Harris.

Students fondly remember him as a teacher who inspired his students, joked with them and made them feel they were special.

Indeed, the mourners struggled for answers, some calling on a higher power to explain why such a great guy was taken so young.

<param value="transparent" name="wmode" />width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e1Z-aBBZK2k"></embed></object><object width="425" height="350"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lXPotH0ZZmU" name="movie" /><param value="transparent" name="wmode" /><embed width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lXPotH0ZZmU"></embed></object>"I can't believe, of all teachers, (it happened to) Mr. Harris," one teen said as he walked Arcadia's halls. Inside, messages about Mr. Harris filled one long cafeteria wall. Written in bright markers, students filled every inch of white space with fond remembrances that ranged from the funny - one student wrote Mr. Harris wore the best ties - to the heartfelt. "You always put yourself before others and no great man like you deserved to die," one message read. "You were the one person I could always talk to."That was a sentiment shared by many as they gathered at dusk to express their grief and comfort each other. The vigil was decided about 1 p.m. this afternoon when students suggested it, principal Lesley Flick said. "We talked about what would be meaningful to Brian and it was here," she said. She called Mr. Harris and "outstanding" educator who had a powerful connection with students. Senior Ashley Marmo, 17, knew Mr. Harris since she was in middle school. He encouraged her dreams of becoming a registered nurse and was excited for her, she said. This year is going to be a difficult one for her class. "He's not going to be handing out diplomas on graduation day," she said. This is the second tragedy to hit the community since September. Angela O'Laskey, 14, died of cancer last month and the school rallied together to support her.They'll do the same now, Flick said. One colleague embraced her and asked how to help. "It's hard to know what we need but we're doing ok," she said. A number of Mr. Harris' family members attended the vigil, thanking the community for the outpouring of concern. Students came up to them after the vigil, embracing them and telling them how much their brother, uncle and cousin meant.Mr. Harris' students meant as much to him, said his sister, Christine Harris Schnackenberg of Pennsylvania. "I'm just really proud of him. I'm really proud of the work he's done through the students," she said. "He touched so many lives and I'm in awe."She encouraged the students to remember her brother's words of advice and concern for them. "Make my brother proud. Make his teaching live on," she told them. "Please don't let my brother down." Calling hours for Mr. Harris will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, 735 East Ave. A memorial service is scheduled for 7 p.m Monday, Oct. 22 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 158 East Ave., Hilton. Colleen M. Farrell can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 265, or at cfarrell@mpnewspapers.com.

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