George Griswold Harris of New Milford, CT died at home surrounded by his family on May 21, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Wethersfield, CT in 1934 to George Mills Harris and Beatrice Griswold Harris. He grew up on the family farm on Prospect Street where his father and grandfather imported some of the first Brown Swiss dairy cows to the United States. In 1957, he married Vivian Oppelt and moved the farm to New Milford, CT. George and Vivian worked the 200 acre farm and raised three children; George O, Susan, and Janet. He was devoted to agriculture as well as his family, receiving many awards from state and local agencies. After farming for close to 30 years, George took a position with the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association in Beloit, Wl, and became the Executive Secretary in 1988. After retirement he and his wife, Vivian, returned to Harris Hill Farm and invited groups of school children to the farm to learn and have hands-on farm experiences. Vivian passed away in 2008 and George remarried in 2010 and is survived by Lila Harris. The couple has lived in New Milford since. George is also survived by his son, George O. Harris of Fairfield, CT, and his daughters, Susan H. Bailey, and Janet S. Harris both of New Milford, and by his six grandchildren, Sarah and Jennifer Bailey, Ryan Winkelvoss, and David, George M. and Christopher Harris. Private burial will take place at the convenience of the family at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, CT. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church on Main Street in New Milford, CT on Saturday May 26th at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brown Swiss Historical Society, 800 Pleasant Road, Beloit, Wl 53511 or the Litchfield County 4-H Foundation, 843 University Drive, Torrington, CT 06790. Arrangements by the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford, CT.

5.24.2012