A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Jan. 17 in St. Mary Church, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, for Deacon David Harris, Jr., who died Jan. 14 in University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. He was 79.

Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy personnel and consecrated life, will be principal celebrant of the Mass. Homilist will be Father Michael Burns, pastor of St. Mary Parish.

Born in Trenton, Deacon Harris resided in Bordentown Township for the past 53 years. He was a graduate of Trenton Catholic High School and was a member of the school’s alumni association. He began as a corrections officer, became Sergeant and retired as supervisor program development specialist with the Burlington County Department of Corrections and was a member of the County Jail Association.

Deacon Harris was ordained a deacon May 15, 1982, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop John C. Reiss and was assigned to St. Mary Parish, where he served as the business administrator and other spiritual ministries. He was also a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and a past member of the Bordentown Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Deacon Harris was predeceased by his parents, David and Alice Harris; his wife, Rosemarie D. Harris, and brother, Thomas Harris. He is survived by a daughter, Trisha Fasick of Plumsted; his son, David M. (June Gazek) of Roebling; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; a brother, Joseph R. of Lavallette, and sister, Alice Wilke of West Berlin.

Viewing hours will be held Jan. 16 from 5-9 p.m. and Jan. 17 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Peppler Funeral Home, 122 Crosswicks St., Bordentown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Church, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, NJ 08505 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tenn. 38101-9908.