Piero Harris, Requiescat in pace.

Rest forever in the arms of the Lord, paisan.

Piero (Pete) Harris, a first team All-America safety at Penn State in 1978, died Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 49.

A product of Mount Holly, N.J., Harris was one of three brothers to play football for Penn State under coach Joe Paterno. One of nine children, an older brother, Franco (1969-71) and a younger brother, Giuseppe (1979-81) also were starters for the Nittany Lions.

"Pete was somebody that everyone liked," Paterno said. "His teammates really liked being around him. Pete was a gifted athlete. The Harris family is such a great family. It's such a shame -- a tragedy."

Harris led the nation with 10 interceptions in 1978 to earn first team All-America honors from United Press International. His 10 interceptions tied Neal Smith (1969) for the Penn State season record, a mark that still stands. Harris recorded 15 interceptions during his career (1976-78, '80), a total that is tied for second (with Darren Perry) in the school record books. Only Smith, with 19, had more career interceptions.

A three-year letterwinner, Harris helped the Nittany Lions earn a 34-4 combined record in 1977, '78, and '80. Penn State won two Fiesta Bowls and played Alabama in the Sugar Bowl for the national championship during his career.

Harris recorded 28 tackles (21 solo), and recovered two fumbles in addition to his nation's best 10 interceptions in 1978, helping Penn State to an 11-0 regular season and the No. 1 ranking entering the Sugar Bowl clash with Alabama.

In 1980, Harris made 27 tackles, grabbed three more interceptions and recovered two fumbles, helping the Nittany Lions to a 10-2 mark, with a win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Harris played football, basketball and baseball at Rancocas Valley High School.

Harris majored in food service and housing administration at Penn State and was an executive chef at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

He is survived by his mother, Gina Harris, four brothers and four sisters, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Burlington County Chapter of the American Heart Association, 600 South White Horse Pike, Audubon, N.J. 08106. (Thanks to the Centre Daily Times for this obituary.)