Fire Critic An Unadulterated View of the Fire Service
Michael Todd Harris, or Todd as most called him, died peacefully on March 2nd at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Todd had been battling throat cancer since 2012. He retired on January 1, 2014 due to the illness. He was hired on April 22, 1987 and had been assigned to several companies over the years including 5, 10, and 13. His last assignment was firehouse 13 C-Shift. His crew was Captain is Willie Wines Jr., Lt. George Perdue, and FF Jerry Thompson.
Arrangements:
Visitation Wednesday March 4
Where: Oakey’s North Chapel
6732 Peters Creek Road Northwest, Roanoke, VA 24019
Times: 1400-1600 & 1800-2000
Graveside Service Thursday March 5
Where: Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens
5737 Airport Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24012
Time: 1100
Reception
Where: Ashley Plantation
919 Greenfield St, Daleville, VA 24083
Time: Immediately following graveside service
After the reception, we will be heading to 2nd Alarm at 5pm on Williamson Road to celebrate Todd’s Life.
I had the pleasure of working with Todd at 13 several years ago. I have many fond memories of Todd and we even fought some fire together. What I remember most about him was his infectious smile, his laughter, and his cleanliness. He would clean for days and his house was immaculate. I often called Todd the prettiest man in the fire department. He was a true gentleman. They called him “Boots”. I can’t remember the story that went with it, but I remember it being funny!
It is with our deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Todd Harris of IAFF Local 1132 and Roanoke Fire-EMS department – Roanoke, Virginia. Brother Harris passed away on March 2, 2015 from throat cancer. Todd was hired by the Roanoke Fire Department on April 22, 1987. Todd was diagnosed in July 2012 with occupational throat cancer and had to retire on January 1, 2014. The funeral arrangements will be announced soon.
Todd’s Obituary from Oakeys.com:
Michael Todd “Boots” Harris, 49 of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on Monday morning, March 2, 2015.
Todd is preceded in death by his grandparents John and Hessie Harris of Roanoke and Roy and Hazel Mason of Roanoke.
Todd is survived by his parents Gary W. and Laura Mason Harris of Roanoke. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Blake Harris. He is also survived by his aunt Betsy and uncle Ray Welch of Winston-Salem, NC and cousins Lisa Cude, Summerfield, NC, Diana Prochnow of Colfax, NC and Dennis and Linda Harris of Roanoke. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Melva Blake, brothers-in-law: Bill Woods and wife Wanda, Vernon Woods, sisters-in-law: Betsy Broyles and husband John and Bonnie Blake all of Roanoke.
Todd graduated from William Fleming High School and received an AAS from Virginia Western Community College. Todd was a member of Life Pointe Church. Todd was an owner of the Second Alarm Restaurant and Tavern on Williamson Road. Todd was a second generation firefighter and EMT with the City of Roanoke. He retired in December 2013 after 27 years of service. He loved golfing, boating, Myrtle Beach, and traveling in general. He had an amazing smile and was a very giving and generous person and helped many people, and he could fix anything. He loved his dogs Max and Cora. He had special friends, David Hankins, Bobby Spradlin, Captain Clayton Martin and Brian Jennings. He leaves behind his many brothers and sisters at the Roanoke City Fire and EMS Department.
We thank everyone that has supported Todd over these past three years, including the Captain Willie Wines family, Chiefs Hoback and Adkins, Captain Kevin Weeks, and all of the wonderful nurses and doctors at Roanoke Memorial Palliative Care Unit. The family wants to give special thanks to Dr. William Magdycz who was always there when Todd needed him.
There will be a graveside service 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with Pastor Edgar Moser officiating. A reception honoring Todd’s life will be held at the Ashley Plantation Country Club following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Life Pointe Church, 4624 Pawling Street, N.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24012 or Roanoke Fire and EMS Department, 713 Third Street, Roanoke, VA 24016. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Oakey’s North Chapel. For online condolences please visit www.oakeys.com.
