Levi Harris Jr., of the Boston Fire Department passed away peacefully on Monday, January 27, 2025. Born on February 12, 1954, in Ocilla, Georgia, to his parents Levi Harris Sr. and Gussie Thomas Harris, he was the second youngest of four brothers and
two sisters.
As a child, Levi developed a love of working on cars from his father. He would work on family and friends’ cars just for fun, taking them apart and putting them back together again. It was nothing for him and his brother Willie to remove a car’s transmission and
put it back together with ease. With a trained ear taught to him by his father, he learned how to listen to the sound of a car to determine the problem with it. In high school, his favorite car was a 1963 red Impala sports car. His family was known in the town of
Ocilla as the "Dukes of Hazard” a 1970’s television show.

Levi grew up in a close-knit family and graduated from Irwin County High School in 1972 with top honors. After high school, he relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, to live with his older sister, Alma Harris, while seeking advancement and new job
opportunities. Education was important to him, so he took several courses through college and attended OIC Technical School for Automotive Studies receiving a certification of completion.

After graduating OIC, he accepted a position as a mechanic at Back Bay Motors in Boston, where he worked for several years, receiving many other certificates over the course of his career.
In 1978 while out celebrating with his brother and several friends, Levi met the love of his life, Valeria, who happened to be at the same place with her college friends. It took him a moment to gather the nerve to approach Valeria, but once the connection was made, the journey never stopped. He pursued her daily and proclaimed his intent to marry her within a few days. In 1979, they were united in Holy Matrimony. To their union three (3) children were born.

Levi decided he wanted a change in career and took the Civil Service Exams for both the Boston Police Dept. and Boston Fire Dept., passing both exams. It was a tough decision to make, however, in 1986, he decided to join the Boston Fire Department where he was assigned to Engine 52/Ladder 29 on Blue Hill Ave, in Dorchester, one of the busiest fire
stations in the city of Boston.
Levi dedicated his life to service and heroism. He became known for his bravery—running into burning buildings to save countless lives. His dedication and
courage throughout his career earned him several awards and recognitions, including the Roll of Merit from the city of Boston in 2000. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and joined the Boston Fire Prevention Unit, where he continued serving as an Inspector for numerous Boston hotels, theaters, and hospitals to ensure enforcement of the city's
policies and regulations for public safety, a position he held for 17 years until his retirement in 2019. Levi’s 33-year career with the Fire Department left an indelible mark on both his colleagues and the community he served. His commitment to serve
others also led to becoming a Sergeant in the Army National Guard for many years. His commitment to protecting others extended beyond his professional life. He was a hardworking, loving, kind man who took great pride in providing for and supporting his
family. Levi found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved fishing, watching westerns, and spending time with his beloved dogs, Sky and Nala. He also loved watching most sports, particularly the Miami Dolphins’ football, which was his favorite team. He loved
listening to classic R and B music from the 70s and 80s while driving his GMC Sierra truck. He had a passion for cooking on the grill with an ice-cold beer in hand and became known for his delicious homemade barbecue sauce. He was a good baker; family favorites were his made from scratch peanut butter cake and apple turnovers.

Levi took great pride in maintaining his yard, planting flowers in Val’s Garden bed, riding his lawn mower and using his leaf blower regardless of the weather forecast. Every year he would spend countless hours preparing the pool for summer gatherings, trying to get the water the perfect clear blue. He loved telling jokes and pulling pranks.
He cherished spoiling his grandchildren and no matter what they asked of him he was always willing to go the extra mile. Levi loved traveling with his family on trips within the US as well as cruising to various countries outside the states. An adventurer, he
loved trying new things such as zip lining, and snowshoeing.

Most of all, Levi was a man of faith who gave his life to Christ at Concord Baptist Church of Boston in 2011. He served in the Public Safety Ministry, and he enjoyed listening to the Brotherhood Choir while attending Church. His devotion to family and community was evident in everything he did. He was always willing to help anyone in need.

Levi is survived by his beloved wife, Valeria Harris. Their journey together spanning over decades with expressions of love and companionship; Three children, Tremaiyne Harris, Leisawn Harris, and Dr. Te-Ana Harris; Three grandchildren, Tyler Levi (19),
Juliana (10), and Michaela (6 months); Three siblings, Alma Harris, Sallie Harris, and Tommy Lee Harris; Mother-in-law, Ora Lee Green (Charlie Sr); Sisters-in law, Carolyn McGee, Patricia Harris (James) and Theresa Harris (Willie Lee) and Shirley (Daniel); Brothers- in-law, James L. Dickey, Ernest McGee and Charles Jr; In addition to a host of aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and close-knit
friends across the country. He was preceded in death by his parents, Levi Harris Sr. and Gussie Thomas Harris; brothers, Daniel Lewis, James "Sugar Man" Harris, and Willie Lee Harris; and father-in-law, Charlie Green Sr. Levi’s legacy of bravery, dedication to his family, and his unwavering kindness will forever be remembered by those who knew him.

The Harris family want to express our heartfelt thanks to Levi’s medical team at Beth Israel Hospital, especially the ICU, Reisman 11 nurses, and doctors who worked tirelessly to provide compassionate, and unwavering support to him. In addition, we are ever so grateful to the Boston Fire Department and Local 718 IAFF.

The Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, Concord Baptist Church of Boston (180 Blue Hill Ave., Milton, MA 02186). The viewing will begin at 10:00 AM followed by the service at 11:00 AM. Interment Service, Forest Hills Cemetery 95 Forest Hills Ave, Boston, MA 02130

Repass will take place at Florian Hall, 55 Hallett Street, Dorchester at 1:00 PM.

Should You Go First!

Should you go first, and I remain to walk the road alone
I’ll live in memory’s garden dear with happy days we’ve known
In spring I’ll wait for roses red when fades the lilacs blue
And in early fall when brown leaves call I’ll catch a glimpse of you

by Albert Rowswell

TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM PLEASE VISIT WWW.HARBORVIEW.LIVE