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Greece teacher 'touched so many lives'

Posted October 18, 2007 11:00 pm

Colleen M. Farrell

Carrying candles and flowers and with 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.

Harris, 31, of Hamlin was killed Wednesday when his truck struck an overpass on Lake Ontario State Parkway.

Harris was a health teacher at a number of the district's schools, but much of his time was spent at Arcadia. He was extremely proud to be a Titan, those who knew him said.

Banners inside the school asked students to wear school colors -- maroon and white -- along with black, today. Many of the mourners wore maroon and white ribbons on their shirts.

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 base, along with candles and a framed picture of Harris.

Inside, messages about 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 that 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."

The vigil was finalized about 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon when students suggested it, principal Lesley Flick said.

She called Harris an "outstanding" educator who had a powerful connection with students.

Senior Ashley Marmo, 17, knew 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 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 Harris meant to them.

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."

Greece Post writer Colleen M. Farrell can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 265, or at cfarrell@mpnewspapers.com.

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