Francis M. "Frank" Harris

   Francis Meetze “Frank” Harris 82 of Naples, FL, passed away October 5, 2015 in Petoskey, MI.

   Frank was born in Lincolnton, NC on January 15, 1933, the son of Walter Lee and Pinkey Marbel (Meetze) Harris. He grew up in Lincolnton, NC and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduating in 1955 with a BS in Industrial Relations. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma, and a cheerleader.

   On September 29, 1956 he married Virginia “Susie” Welles Draper in Maumee, OH.

   He began his career in sales and sales management for Owens Illinois Glass Co. In 1969 he co-founded Aim Packaging Inc., a major producer of, and plastic bottle supplier to Proctor and Gamble, Helene Curtis, Clairol, Bristol Myers, Drackett and others with five plants nationwide. In 1984 he became president of the Plastic Bottle Institute, a division of the Society of Plastics Industry. As his career in plastics was winding down, in 1985 he founded and became president of Green Cove Development Corp. which today is being operated by his children. The corporation built and sold 400 condominiums, operated Wild Wings Marina and RV Park as well as other related small businesses. He was a member of both the Young Presidents Organization and then Chief Executive Organization. In 1986 he was elected to the board of the Institute of Private Enterprise; part of the business school at Chapel Hill. He served on many boards including Blue Cross of Ohio, Toledo Humane Society, Brazeway Inc. of Adrian, MI, Plastic Technologies of Toledo, OH, Continental Glass and Plastics of Chicago, American Seniors Golf Association, International Seniors Amateur Golf Society where he was vice-president, Three Score and Ten Golf Society, the 200 Club of Gentlemen Golfers, The Forum Club of Naples, FL; and the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County, FL.

   Frank was an avid sportsman. He played tennis and platform tennis, fished and hunted birds across the USA, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Argentina and Mexico. He belonged to Erie Marsh, and Sand Beach Shooting Clubs, Ottawa Skeet Club, and Rockwell Trout Club. His passion was golf which he played with a low handicap for over 50 years. He won 20 club championships, had 8 holes in one, once owned Spuyten Duyval Golf Course in the Toledo Ohio area, served as a panelist for Golf Digest and Golf Magazine to rank the top 100 courses in the world for over 10 years, was a panelist for the World Club Championship and was named one of the top joke tellers in golf by Golf Digest.

   At the time of his death he was a member of Pine Valley Golf Club, Royal Poinciana Golf Club of Naples, Hole-in-the-Wall Golf Club of Naples and Birchwood Farms Golf and Country Club of Harbor Springs, MI.

   Frank is survived by his wife of 59 years Virginia “Susie”, daughter Virginia “Gingi” Rothman, son Walter Harris and his wife Jennifer, grandchildren Virginia “Addy” Rothman, Samuel Rothman, Welles Harris and Grant Harris. He was preceeded in death by his brother Jack R. Harris.

   The family suggests memorials to the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County, FL. or a charity of choice.

   Interment will be private. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date. Arrangements were made through Schiller Funeral Home of Harbor Springs, MI.

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