Joseph Donald Harrington

Joseph Donald Anthony Harrington, aka ‘Don’, ‘Doc, ‘Digger’ ‘Duke’ and ‘Pop’ arrived in this world in the Year of Our Lord 1932 at old Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC. He was the seventh of nine children of Doctor John F. Harrington, and Stella (nee Schreiner) Harrington. He went by Don to friends and family. His fellow Sibley Hospital newborns were also known as ‘shadow of the Capital babies” due to its proximity to the US Capital Building only 10 blocks away. A true Washingtonian. Baptized and raised a devout Catholic, with a strong devotion to Our Lady and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Don grew up in the Brookland area of Washington, DC, surrounded by what was referred to as the ‘Holyland.’ His home Parish of St,. Anthony’s was bounded by the nearby Franciscan Monastery, The Catholic University of America, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The world at his birth included Holy Father Pope Pius 11th, the Mass in Latin, a US Flag with 48 stars, and President Elect FDR. Television had not been invented, the economic Great Depression and the Dust Bowl were just beginning, and WWII was 9 years away. As a young boy in the 1930’s, Don had a passion for sports, as a player and a fan. His favorite stories were of playing at Brookland’s Turkey Thicket fields with his neighborhood gang. His beloved Washington Redskins were formed the year of his birth. Throughout his life the "Hail the Redskins" fight song would readily be sung at a moment’s notice with gusto, if not off-key, out of devotion to his favorite team and favorite player: No. 33, the tall Texan, ‘Slingin’ Sammy Baugh.’ Growing up in the 1940’s, he recalled Pearl Harbor and collecting scrap metal for the War Drive during WWII, while his beloved four older brothers served in the Navy, Marines and Merchant Marines. After the War and High School, Pop came into his own in America of the 1950’s where his phrases, expressions, favorite songs, singers, friends nicknames and marriage all came from that era and defined much of who he was. His expressions were laced with a tints of Southern speech that his children would good naturedly tease him about. It was ‘Wrastle’ not wrestle; ‘Wor-ter,’ not Water, and ‘War-shington,’ not Wash-ington DC. One of Don’s favorite bands of that era was Rock-N-Rolls ‘Bill Haley and The Comets’ and their song “See you later Alligator.” Even towards end when he was suffering from dementia, Don would say goodbye with the phrase “See you later Alligator,” - always with a mischievous a twinkle in his eye. Don went on to attend U Maryland and as a Terp he did a stint in the Air Force ROTC briefly. Don ended up leaving UM early to marry the Gal he fell in love with a lilting Irish accent- Eileen Francis Judge, of Mayo, Ireland. Yet, in spite of a growing family, he later managed to finish his degree at night school. He and his wife Eileen raised seven children of their own, at times working two and three jobs to make ends meet, and still finding time to coach and attend his children’s events when he could, he rarely lost his good nature and heart. Even when he lost his little girl, Patricia Agnus, at four months of age due to a heart condition at birth, he kept the Faith. Don carried Patricia’s picture in his wallet his whole life, looking forward to the day he knew he would be re-united with her again. Don said many times he believed everyone in heaven is about the age of Christ age 30, and believed that when he was called home, he would finally have that wedding dance with his little girl Patricia that she never had. Don and Eileen kept the Faith, and would later have what Don called his “extra-blessings” - a new baby boy and baby girl. Through it all, the birthdays, Christmas’s, Easters, Graduations, Births, Deaths, Anniversaries, and Don kept his Faith. He kept the Sacraments, and he kept his sacred Vow ‘to have and to hold, to love and to Cherish, in good times in bad, in sickness and in health, all the days of his life.” to his beloved bride Eileen. In spite of many trials and tribulations, his constant refrain of “Stay the Course” he truly lived the Knights core values of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Finally, after 59 years of marriage and a record 58 years of being Voted Best Dad Ever, God Rest your Gentle soul, Pop. ‘See you later Alligator.’ Amen.

Joseph Donald Harrington

November 22, 1932 - December 31, 2016