Philip Gordon Harris of Springfield, Massachusetts, died peacefully in his sleep at Ruth's House Assisted Living Residence in Longmeadow on June 4, 2026.

Born on February 21, 1933 to the late David Schimmel and Beatrice Burack Schimmel, Phil resided in Springfield for most of his life. A military veteran who served in Korea and a graduate of Riverside Military Academy and American International College, Phil loved traveling to foreign countries and studied abroad in Germany, Peru, and Spain.

Fluent in both Spanish and German, Phil was an avid ballroom dancer, car enthusiast, and longtime active member of the Springfield Turnverein.

A lifelong salesman, a skill he first learned as a child helping in his father's and grandfather's luggage and camera store on Main Street in Springfield, Phil went on to represent Kodak and AGFA as their New England sales representative and distributor of photographic equipment and chemicals.

Mr. Harris was predeceased by his sister, Deborah Butterworth, and is survived by his niece, Gabriella B. Genia, and grandniece, Madeleine C. Genia, of Washington, D.C.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phil's memory may be directed to The American Civil Liberties Union Make a Gift to the ACLU in Someone's Memory ' American Civil Liberties Union.