Craig Harris Obituary

Craig Williams Harris
Born: September 13, 1944 in Milwaukee, WI
Died: March 11, 2025 in Downers Grove, IL
Craig Williams Harris of Downers Grove, Illinois, 80, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 13, 1944, and grew up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee obtaining a B.S. in Physics in 1966. He enjoyed a long career working for several companies writing programs for large mainframe computers and was a customer service representative for companies using these services.
He was active in his church, Presbyterian Church of Western Springs. This is where Craig would meet his wife Harriett Potenza who was also attending the church. They married in 2001, and enjoyed 23 sweet years together, before her passing in December 2023. With the marriage to Harriett, he became a step-father to Toni and Nancy, a step grandfather, and a step great grandfather which was very special to him.
Over the years Craig enjoyed several trips to Wales to meet distant family and learn of his heritage, and later he would spend countless hours doing genealogy searches. He was a skilled basket weaver, enjoyed singing in his church choir and various community choirs, and loved the national Welsh Gymanfa Ganu singing festivals. He was involved in Kiwanis Club of Western Springs, leading their Memorial Day Services for years, and was an enthusiastic Wisconsin sports fan – UW, Packers and Brewers. He followed current events with a deep interest and commitment to peace, justice and dignity for all. He valiantly and courageously dealt with Parkinson's Disease for over 15 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents Orville and Sarah Harris, his wife Harriett Potenza, and stepdaughter Toni Moya. He is survived by his three siblings and spouses, Beth (Joe) Leffelman of Lindenhurst, IL, James F. Harris (Ann) Harris of Wauwatosa, WI, and Janet Harris-Ahl (Tom Ahl) of Midlothian, VA, and stepdaughter Nancy Potenza (Mark Parsons) of Bigsby, AZ and their daughter Mia, Toni's son Emilio Moya, and Toni's stepchildren and grandchildren. Craig was also an uncle and great uncle.
Our family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our cousin David Bebb Jones and his wife Ann for years of extra caring, Rush Hospital-Parkinson's Unit, the Oak Trace staff and Cynthia Cashen for her special companionship this past year.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, 5220 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60552 on Saturday, April 12 at 1:00. Donations in his memory can be made to the church, Lifespace Foundation – Oak Trace, 200 Village Drive, Downers Grove, IL 60516, or Rush Hospital- Parkinson's Unit, 1725 W. Harrison, #755, Chicago, IL 60612.