ROCKLAND – Richard Earl Harrington, 80, loving and devoted father and husband, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, following a short illness. Born in Rockland, he was the son of Chester and Lottie Mae Grierson Harrington. He was educated in local schools, leaving high school during his sophomore year to join the U.S. Navy. He was a proud and decorated Veteran of World War II, having served at the Invasion of Normandy. Mr. Harrington recently became a graduate of Rockland High School when he was awarded a diploma with other U.S. Veterans who had enlisted during high school. On June 18, 1943, Mr. Harrington married his sweetheart, Elaine M. Carroll. They made their home in Rockland, and recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. He was a long-time fisherman, both in Massachusetts and Maine. A life member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks No. 1008, and the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, he took great joy in preparing meals, spending time with his friends, and playing shuffleboard there. For the past 17 years, Mr. Harrington worked many mornings at “Bobs Market” in Thomaston, serving breakfast to the many people who stopped in to see him. Mr. Harrington not only enjoyed serving people, but was also famous for his seafood chowder, and was featured as such in news stories. An avid sports fan, he closely followed the Boston Red Sox and Rockland Tigers basketball teams, and attended all of his grandchildren’s basketball and football games. His family remembers that he had a great sense of humor; that his personality made him loved by all he came in contact with, and that he never missed an opportunity to tease all of his nine daughters. Mr. Harrington was predeceased by his two brothers, Mertland and Leland Harrington; one sister, Marion Gordon; two grandsons, Cory McClure, in 1991, and Adrian Randall, in 2003. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; nine daughters and their husbands, Pam and Robert Ober of Rockland, Sharon and Fred Allen of South Thomaston, Stephanie and Dennis Davis of Spruce Head, Rhonda and Douglas Anderson of Port Clyde, Gail and James McClure of Warren, Michele and James Brannan of Rockland, Roxann and Malcom Burnside of Rockland, Melinda and George Blastow of Rockland, Tracey and Rick Randall of Rockland; 22 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. Friends and family are invited to visit from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland, where an Elk’s service will take place at 7 p.m. where a celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, 2004. Pastor Douglas Anderson will officiate. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Bob Gagnon Cancer Care Fund, care of Northeast Heath, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841, or Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, Suite 160B, 163 Lancaster St., Portland, ME 04101. <
RICHARD EARL HARRINGTON
