Obituary of John J. Harrington

John J. Harrington, 85, of Syracuse passed away early Saturday morning at Iroquois Nursing Home. John was born on September 28, 1928 in Syracuse. After graduating from Christian Brothers Academy, John attended Clarkson College before enlisting in the US Air Force where he was stationed in San Antonio Texas and later at Sampson AFB in the Finger Lakes. After the Air Force, John and his wife Joanne returned to Syracuse where he joined the Syracuse Fire Department. He retired as a Captain in 1983. Throughout his life, John was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He built a cottage on Lake Ontario, where he and Joanne spent much of every summer. John was a member of the IAFF Local 280, the Pastime Athletic Club, and the Pulaski Post of the American Legion. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church. John will be greeted in heaven with Cead Mile Failte, one hundred thousand welcomes, by his parents, Thomas and Beatrice O'Grady Harrington, his eldest sister Agnes Harrington, and his older brother Thomas Harrington. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Joanne (Schlacter) Harrington, his daughter Debra Merryweather of Syracuse, son John Michael Harrington, his wife Karen and granddaughters Kimberly and Danielle of Redmond, Washington, son Timothy J. Harrington, his wife Julie and grandsons Derek and Lukas of Syracuse, and daughter Sheila Harrington of Jamesville. John is also survived by his sister Beatrice Smith of Syracuse, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends. John's family would like to extend a special thank you to the rehab and fourth floor staff of Iroquois Nursing Home for the great care John received during the past couple months. There will be no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday at 10am in St. Vincent dePaul Church, 342 Vine Street, Syracuse 13203. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church and to the SPCA.