Leslie J. Harper

Leslie J. ?Les? Harper, 88, of Pheasant Drive, Portsmouth, RI, died on Friday December 24, 2010 at home with his family by his side.He was the husband of the late Patricia Canney Harper.Born in Jasper County, IN on February 25, 1922, he was the son of the late John G. and Sophia Winters Harper.Mr. Harper served in the United States Navy during World War II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War retiring after 29 years of service. He served aboard the USS Rushmore in 1945, the USS North Carolina in 1946, the USS Fiske from 1946 to 1949, the USS LST 1077 in 1950, the USS Cascade from 1958 to 1959, the USS Blue from 1951 to 1954 and the USS Boston from 1960 to 1963. Mr. Harper was a longtime member of the Portuguese American Club in Portsmouth, VFW Post #5392 in Tiverton and the Fleet Reserve Club. He enjoyed fishing, cross-word puzzles, playing pool and was an avid reader, especially of country-westerns. He is survived by his children, Leslie John Harper, Jr. of Portsmouth, RI, Richard Harper of Rutherford, NJ, Pennie Durand of Newport, RI, Gary Harper of Providence, RI, Deborah Guerrero and her husband Andy of Portsmouth, RI, and Crystal Williams and her husband Nicholas of Shiloh, NC, his sisters Maxine Sorrels of Bridgman, MI, and Georgia Kent of Hodges, SC, 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, a great-great granddaughter, his dog Ginger and his cat Miss Miracle.He was the brother of the late Donald Harper, Ed Harper and Kenneth Harper.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2010 from 3-6 pm in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. His funeral procession will be held from Connors Funeral Home on Friday, December 31, 2010 at 10 am followed by burial with military honors at 11 am in Newport Memorial Park, Vaucluse Avenue, Middletown, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Portuguese American Club, 35 Power Street, Portsmouth, RI 02871.