Obituary of Harold S. Duris

Harold S. Duris passed away April 1, 2022 at E.W. and Lucille Cate’s Hospice House. Harold was born to Stephen Patrick Duris and Mary Agnes (Smith) Duris on February 28, 1930 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a proud “Michigan Man” having received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1951. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorene T. LeBeau and within a year entered the Coast Guard to serve during the Korean Conflict. He turned down the opportunity to continue work with the Coast Guard and returned to Michigan to begin his work as a Certified Public Accountant for Price Waterhouse. He and Dorene started their family and lived in Royal Oak, Michigan and then moved to Birmingham, Michigan, where they remained until 1984. In 1966, he went to work with one of his former clients as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Hazel Park Harness Raceway in Hazel Park, Michigan. That began a long career in the harness horse racing industry. After 18 years at Hazel Park, he became the Executive Vice President and General Manager at Pompano Harness Track in Pompano Beach, Florida, where he remained until he retired in 1995. During his career he served a term as president of the Harness Tracks of America and as Treasurer for the United States Trotting Association. In 1999 they moved to Ocala, Florida to be near their daughter.

During his lifetime, he and Dorene enjoyed following and cheering on the Michigan Wolverines, attending various harness horse races and events and playing golf. They had numerous friends in Michigan and Florida that joined them on the golf course. They played all over the country and had a special round in Ireland on their 50th anniversary trip. During his lifetime he had four holes-in-one.  He served as president of Birmingham County Club, Birmingham, Michigan; The Hamlet Country Club, Delray Beach, Florida and Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club, Ocala, FL.

He was a family man and devoted to his wife and children. After his son, Kevin, suffered a closed-head injury in 1982, he and Dorene ensured he had the best of care and he lived with them until his death in 2013.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Dorene T. Duris in 2017. He is survived by his daughter, Colleen Duris and her partner, Laura Doran; his brother-in-Law, Harvey LeBeau; and his nieces and nephews.

There will be a Funeral Mass for Harold at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, with Father Patrick Sheedy presiding, on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 am, 5 SE 17th Street, Ocala, FL, followed by a reception. The family requests that Memorial contributions be made to Blessed Trinity Brother’s Keeper, http://bkocala.org, 5 SE 17th Street, Ocala, FL 34471 or Hospice of Marion County, Florida, https://www.hospiceofmarion.com, 3231 SW 34th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474.