Sydney Harris, a resident of West Bloomfield, Michigan, died on October 31st, 2023 at the age of 100. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.

Location of Service:

The Dorfman Chapel- main chapel (map to our Chapel)

Date of Service:

Friday November 3rd, 2023

Time of Service:

1:00 PM  

Interment at:

Machpelah Cemetery, 21701 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI

Officiant:

Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny  

Shiva Information:

The family will be sitting on Sunday, from 3:00PM until 5:00PM in the Green Room at All Seasons, 5600 Drake Rd. West Bloomfield MI 48322

Religious services will be held Sunday evening at 7:00PM  
See our shiva mapping options

Charitable contributions:

The Jewish War Veterans
P.O. Box 725066
Berkley, MI 48072
Phone: (248) 855-5085

or
A charity of one's choice  

Family Members:

Sydney Harris, 100, of West Bloomfield, died Oct 31, 2023. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Cherri (Harris) and Bill Becker, and his many wonderful friends and cousins. Sydney was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Thelma (Nerenberg) Harris. Sydney was the only son of the late Molye and Samuel Harris, and brother to the late Delores Harris.
Sydney was an honored World War II veteran, serving in the Ardennes and Rhineland Campaigns as a rifleman. He was severely wounded by shrapnel in February 1945, and spent over a year in Percy Jones Hospital in Michigan. In addition to many ribbons, he received a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. His battle wounds became reinfected approximately 15 years later after some vigorous exercise, and he spent another year and a half in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Detroit. Sydney was very proud of his military service. He and Thelma attended many reunions of the 87th Division, and he was active in Michigan’s Lt Raymond Zussman Post 135 of the Jewish War Veterans, serving for many years in the JWV Honor Guard.
After his discharge from the Army, Sydney return to school in Chicago, graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) in 1947. Shortly after he opened up a successful solo practice in Roseville, Michigan, where he worked for over 35 years. His wife Thelma worked in the business side of the office, ordering frames, making appointments, and greeting patients. Sydney was a honored to be an alumnus of ICO, attending class reunions as a member of the 50-Year Club, and being the largest benefactor to the school from the State of Michigan.
Sydney was an avid sportsman, and was quite competitive in tennis, handball and bowling. He remained active despite his advanced age, playing golf until he was 94. He had many friends and admirers, and was especially close to his personal trainer Jim Berk, his best friend Paul Smith, and the late Norma Zelch, who passed last year.  

Email Condolences:

If you would like you can send a condolence message via email to the family

View the broadcast of the service:

A video recording of the service is available. View the service.

Yahrzeit Schedule:

A 10 year Yahrzeit calendar is available.
Also, you can sign-up for an annual email reminder of the yahrzeit.