Street Spirit September 2004

An Eloquent Voice for the Common Man

by Gail Margaret

On Sunday, August 8, sometime between preparing his breakfast and eating it, Harry Frank Shorman, Jr. drew his last breath on earth, much to the deep sorrow of his family and a large number of East Bay residents, most of whom reside on the streets and sleep where they can find a bit of warmth and comfort.

Shorman had a long history in Berkeley as an activist on behalf of homeless people and others stamped as outcasts by a society based on competition, money and power.

Shorman, born in Oakland on April 23, 1953, was himself homeless up until over one year ago, when he moved first into the Berkeley Food and Housing Project's Russell Street Residence supportive housing program. More recently, Shorman, with the help of Berkeley Mental Health and social worker Terry Kalahar, obtained a Shelter Plus Care voucher and was living in his very own one-bedroom apartment on Julia Street in Berkeley.

Sadly, Harry left behind three children who were the dearest to his heart. Jennifer Rose and two fine grandkids reside in Oregon, and Isaac and Forest live in Arizona. Harry was also the loving brother of William and Richard Shorman and his sister Susan Holloway and was an uncle to Stacy, Jim and Kathy.

The family are all shocked and very saddened by his unexpected death. A memorial service was held for him on Thursday, August 26, at the Russell Street Residence in Berkeley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the "Harry F. Shorman, Jr. Memorial Fund" in care of his sister Susan Holloway at Mechanics Bank, Account # 396-92-353 to help pay for necessary services.

Those of us lucky enough to have known Harry, either intimately or as an acquaintance, knew him to be a man with a great heart. He dedicated many years of his life as an activist and as a voice for the common man, as well as the more unfortunate souls that frequent the streets of the Bay Area. 

Harry's heart was so large that, after his children and his other family members, he could include a multitude of needy people. In doing so, he rose to prominence and was tattooed with honorary titles including "Ambassador to the Homeless" and the "Postmaster for Rainbow Village."

Not one to wallow in self-pity or while away time in slanderous gossip, he was a doer, not a complainer. He was engaged in everything from handing out coupons for free coffee at Peet's, to lobbying for the people who inhabited a colorful collection of vehicles which they called home, parked permanently on 4th Street near the Berkeley Marina.

Harry was a shining example of dignified living as a homeless citizen. The more limited a person's economic resources are, the more it becomes obvious who and what they are, apart from possessions and status. Harry's shining qualities were immediately apparent. He cared, he shared and he tried.

He was deeply pained by how the cries of the needy went unheard. The epidemic of selfishness and materialism that was stifling the lives and creativity of such a richly spirited subculture moved him to act in any way possible on their behalf. Harry was multitalented - an accomplished artist, well educated, well-spoken and eloquent.

In 1986, in response to an impending forced eviction of a large group of homeless vehicle dwellers, Harry filed a lawsuit for $6.3 million on behalf of the Rainbow Village population. Like Harry, all who lived there were homeless, and their buses and tents were eventually declared illegal and the village was forced to disband.

With his love of others and his unwillingness to say no to someone in need, it would please him most to see us loving and serving each other. This man with a heart of gold who served and tried to help the poor, himself was practically penniless when he sadly and unexpectedly died.

Harry's greatest wish, should he unexpectedly depart this world, was that his love for us be known, shared, perpetuated and felt, especially during dark times when you're all alone. Take a moment to think of Harry and remember his conviction that he lives on in spirit with us.

Robin Bouc, administrator of Russell Street Board and Care, BEFHP, contributed to this story.

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