Richard "Dick" Francis Harrington, Sr.

Richard “Dick” Francis Harrington Sr., 95, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 11th, 2024. He was born on December 24th, 1928, in Nyack, NY, during the Great Depression, to Walter Jeremiah Harrington Sr. and Marie McLaughlin Harrington. He was the seventh of ten children and the last survivor of his siblings.

In 1950, Dick enlisted in the Navy, proudly serving aboard the USS Tanager (AM-385) minesweeper. On the day he left to serve, his mother placed a cross necklace around his neck as a symbol of faith and protection that he never removed to this day.

One of the fondest memories of his lifetime came in 1951 aboard the USS Tanager during the operations of the 6th Fleet as it was deployed across the Mediterranean Sea, docking at various ports of call in Italy where he was able to attend Catholic Mass in Vatican City officiated by Pope Pius XII. Sitting at the end of the pew wearing his sailor uniform as the pope was recessing down the aisle, Dick extended his hand, holding a rosary he had purchased for his mother. Pope Pius stopped, blessing him and the rosary which he delivered to his mother after his tour of duty.

It was during his time in the Navy, while docked in Charleston, SC, that he met Kitty, the love of his life. Together they built a life they adored in Charleston.

A devout Catholic, Dick’s love for God, family, and country was unwavering. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather (“Papa”), and friend. He spent his career working for the Youngblood Company in North Charleston, eventually becoming the owner until his retirement. Even after retiring, Dick continued his life of service, dedicating 25 years as a volunteer at Saint Vincent DePaul Society, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), and the soup kitchen.

He loved Notre Dame football and the LA Dodgers. As a boy, he collected and sold empty soda pop bottles to buy tickets to attend Brooklyn Dodgers baseball games. He attended Game 2 of the 1949 World Series, getting to watch his favorite player, Jackie Robinson, and witness the only game the Dodgers won in that series! He was a lifelong fan even after the team moved to LA.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved parents, all nine siblings, his cherished wife of 65 years, Catherine “Kitty” Bean Harrington, and his grandson, Richard “Richie” Francis Harrington, III.

Dick is survived by his three sons, Richard Francis Harrington Jr. (Anna-Marie), Stephen Thomas Harrington, and Paul William Harrington; six grandchildren, Amy Harrington Behbooei (Moe), Adam Harrington, Georgie Harrington, Luke Harrington, Jack Harrington, and Lia Harrington; beloved niece Marie McManus, who took him on a recent car road trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to conquer his 50th state; Bill Brown, Dick’s bird-watching companion of over 40 years; Peggy Youmans, Dick and Kitty’s Friday night supper club buddy of many decades; and many other loving extended family members.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 6:00-8:00pm EST at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home & Cremation Chapel, located at 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:30am EST at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, located at 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482, followed by Interment at 11:30am EST at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.

As his final act of charity, his pacemaker will be donated to the Iowa State University Veterinary Cardiology pacemakers for dogs program.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Sunil Sharma and Gentiva Hospice of Lee County, AL, for their compassionate care and support during Dick's final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Thomas Epting Faith Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Greenville, 630 East Washington Street, Suite A, Greenville, SC 29601, or online at www.thomasfaithfund.org

Funeral arrangements in South Carolina have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation – Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.