Michael Harrington–6/19/2017


F. Michael Harrington “Mike”, age 70, a longtime resident of Lansdale died Monday evening, June 19, 2017 at Abington Lansdale Hospital.

Born on May 24, 1947, in Scranton, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and Margaret (nee. Jordan) Harrington.  He is the beloved husband of Patricia (nee. Shaughnessy) Harrington with whom he would have celebrated his 48th wedding anniversary on the 4th of July.

Mr. Harrington was a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and The University of Notre Dame, class of 1969.  He was a 32 year employee of Merck and Co. where he was Manager of Distribution and Logistics.

Mr. Harrington served his country honorably as a United States Naval Officer retiring as a Lieutenant.  During his time in the Navy he spent 7 months aboard the USS Saratoga.

As a devoted member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church for 39 years he served on the parish school board and was in charge of boys intramural basketball and also coached a girls team. He was an avid fan of all things “Notre Dame”, GO IRISH!

One of his greatest pleasures was playing golf with his son and two son-in-laws. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three loving children; Meghan Gill (T.J.) of Macungie, PA, Michael Harrington (Jennifer) of Doylestown and Erin Johnson (Dennis) of Lansdale, eight beloved grandchildren; Michael, Katherine and Margaret Gill, Morgan and Colin Harrington and Caroline, Patrick and Timothy Johnson, one brother Thomas R. Harrington of Norristown as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Friday evening, June 23rd from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home, 532 E. Main St., Lansdale, PA. 19446 and again Saturday morning also at the Funeral Home from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave, Lansdale, PA. 19446.  Interment will be in St. Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.  Donations in Mike’s name can be made to Mater Dei Catholic School and sent to 493 E. Main St., Lansdale, PA. 19446 or on line at www.materdeicatholices.com.

7 thoughts on “Michael Harrington–6/19/2017

  1. Pat, you have my deepest condolences on your loss, a loss to all of us who knew Mike. Mike and I were in Navy Aviation Officer Candidate Class 13-71 at NAS Pensacola. I hope you remember me and Alice as good friends there and at NAS Oceana, VA. Our class started small and got smaller as the weeks wore on, but Mike was the spark plug that inspired some of us to persevere, get our commissions and move on through the Navy “pipeline”. You, Mike and Meghan have been in my heart over the years and I was saddened learn of his passing on line. Reading the story of his life and family you two raised confirmed the positive, dynamic and cheerful man I met in Pensacola that Aprii day. I’d love to have the opportunity to chat with you to see what happened to 50 years of our life.
    God bless you and all of your family.

  2. I also am a member of the Dillon Hall Group and had the privilege to be with Mike for our four years at ND. This past year offered another special privilege as I was able to have conversations and visits with Mike and Pat. As my classmates have described, Mike was a close friend who will be missed, yet never forgotten. Mike’s beautiful picture helps us remember how great Mike was as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
    Part of Mike’s important Legacy is that he showed what a good friend can be: always ready to help, make you laugh with a funny comment or story, and offer good times to all who were with Mike. .
    Maureen and I offer this wish to Pat, her children, grandchildren, and all other family members that your wonderful pictures and memories give you strength for these difficult days and become a bridge to days when Mike’s stories and pictures bring smiles and peace.
    So sorry, Maureen and Bill Lynn

  3. Dear Pat, Stephanie and I are so deeply sadden by the loss of Mike. He was such a great guy and fellow classmate at ND. Mike looks exactly the same in the picture of the obit as he did at ND, the button down oxford shirt. He was probably wearing khaki pants and wee-jun shoes. He was such a clothes horse in school. I have such fond memories of us playing cards in the dorm, the baseball games on the edge of campus, cheering the Irish on, his infectious laugh, and great sense of humor. I am so glad I had a chance to see him again at Steve’s house on the Jersey shore reminiscing about old times. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will miss him. Ed Mulligan

  4. Mike and I were members of the same group of Freshmen assigned to Upper-Class Dillon Hall at Notre Dame in September 1965, and we quickly became part of a smaller group of buddies who lived and hung-out with each other for the next four years–and who have stayed in contact to the present day. In our Senior year, Mike and I shared an apartment next door to Steve and Martha Kirby and their little boy, the pleasant spot in South Bend that had become the center of all of our lives–and of most of our fun and mischief, including during the happy times when Pat was in for a visit. I will always cherish my memories of Mike–my classmate, my friend, and my apartment mate. He was the nicest guy I ever met, and I will never forget him.
    Tom Scorza, ND ’69
    Chicago, IL

  5. Mike’s passing is very disconcerting. Through our years at ND he was the one steady rock from Scranton – even tempered and good hearted. We all had nicknames and his was Harry (something or other) to which he always responded. His devotion to Pat (I. A. to those who know and love her) was so obvious and they truly were destined for a life together. I recall the last time I saw Mike which was at Normandy Beach. He and Pat and Laura and I sat up until the wee hours recounting the “glory days”. I am grateful to have that memory. Mike recounted the trips he took to the U.S. Opens with the boys which he enjoyed so much and I regret that I never had a chance to play a round with him. Pat and family – my sincere condolences are with you. Mike was a special friend and will be missed by all of us who knew him. Doug Hickey

  6. Pat,
    You have my sincerest condolences for the loss of Mike.
    I was a part of the 1965 freshmen year Notre Dame “Dillon Hall Gang”.
    There is hardly a day that goes by that I do not think of the friendships developed within “our” group. Truly a lifelong great memory. To this day I regret not staying with the “Gang” by moving off campus because I lost close contact with all my fantastic new friends. Mike, of course, was one of those special new friends I lost contact with.
    However,
    The reunion at Normandy Beach several years ago was a wonderful opportunity to reunite with my “old” ND friends. I will never forget any of it and it takes on a special meaning now that Mike is gone.
    I’m so sorry.
    Wish you well,
    Jim Lauer

  7. Mike was the first person I met at Notre Dame in 1965 and my Freshman year roommate. Our mother’s flipped a coin to see who would get 1st choice of bunk bed-upper or lower- and after that “issue” was settled, we would spend that year and the subsequent 52 years without ever having a disagreement.He was a loyal friend,a gentleman and great husband and father. It was a privilege to know him and certainly he will be missed by many.
    Stephen Kirby

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