Obituary: Richard D. Harrington - Class of 1944

MADISON - Richard D. Harrington, Marine Corps (Retired), age 84, passed away on March 12, 2010. He now joins his beloved wife, Grace who passed away January 30, 2007. He was born on June 17, 1925, in Madison, to Leo and Frances Harrington. He attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and graduated from Central High School where he was a member of the football team, President of Hi-Y and Junior Class President. He enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II and served with the "C" Company 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific as a rifleman and flame thrower operator. After the war he served in China on occupation duty. He retired to the states and attended school for two years. He returned to active duty in 1950, and served during the Korean War and during Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps with 30 years service. He was a member of the 1st Marine Division Association, The Fleet Reserve Association and the China Marine Association. On December 20, 1947, he married the love of his life, classmate, Grace Elinor Batker. Together they raised four children, Jacqueline (Gary) Rockweiler of Verona, June (Mike) Goglio, Mike (Laura) Harrington and Patrick (Julie) Harrington, all of Madison. He was proud of all of his grandchildren, Renee (Rich) Wilson, Danielle Larson, Joshua and Frances Goglio, Nicholas and Jeffrey Harrington and Jenna and Jayci Harrington; also two great-grandchildren, Annika and Ethan Larson. Dick and Grace had a small painting and repair business, D and G, from 1974 -1994. Dick was an area football official and his crew worked in several championship games. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Ken (Nell) Batker and their children, David, John, and Carol; and nieces, Janice (Jim) Rebne, Sharon Rock, and Joan Loshek. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Grace; his sister, Mary Loshek; brother-in-law, Robert Loshek; and his in-laws, Edward and Bertha Batker. Dick was a caregiver for his wife, Grace for over ten years as she fought her courageous battle with Alzheimer's. They were married over 59 years. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., with Chaplain Steve Zwettler officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Saturday. Entombment will be private in the Good Shepherd Mausoleum, next to Grace, at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 715 Broadway Street, Quantico, VA 22134. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Cardiac Unit at Meriter Hospital. Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 15, 2010

Note: Information about Richard Harrington's Class year was provided by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968): "Richard D. "Dick" Harrington is listed as getting a legislative (armed services) diploma in Wisconsin State Journal, Friday, June 09, 1944 , Page 12."