Longtime Fresh Meadows Civic Leader Robert Harris Dies

FRESH MEADOWS, QUEENS — Fresh Meadows civic leader and Queens Community Board 8 member Robert "Bob" Harris has died, according to City Council Member Barry Grodenchik.

Harris, who worked as a teacher, was the longtime president of the West Cunningham Park Civic Association and was an active member of the local community board until the time of his death.

He also founded the Queens Civic Congress, which united civic leaders from across the borough to address issues of mutual concern, and was a leader at Hillcrest Jewish Center.

"I have known Bob and Edna since I started working in local government over three decades ago, and I found him to be among the kindest and most respectful community leaders," Grodenchik said in a statement. "He knew how to speak up for his beloved Fresh Meadows neighborhood in a way that made others listen, and he was by nature positive, collaborative, and solution-oriented."