John Michael Harrington

1932 - 2023

John Michael Harrington, 90, a longtime resident of Old Greenwich, CT, died on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 after a brief period of declining health. He was the husband of Rose (McDonald) Harrington for just under 61 years.

Born on May 22, 1932, he was raised as one of several foster children in the care of Anna Dunigan in her home in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. Later in life, he coached youth soccer for the OGRCC and would come to enjoy watching golf, football, hockey and soccer.

John served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Dix as the Korean War wound down. He obtained his high school equivalency during this period. He earned a B.A. at Pace College and an MBA from Fordham University. Both of these degrees were earned at night.

He met his future wife in Throgs Neck and in 1962 they were married and settled in New Jersey for several years before finally relocating to Old Greenwich in 1972, where they have maintained a residence ever since.
John began his career in the insurance industry, working for The Hartford and other property and casualty insurers in New York City. He later became a risk manager at several large corporations, including Eastern Airlines and NL Industries, and ended his career as an insurance broker for Marsh & McLennan in Boston. His work required traveling extensively, providing him (and often Rose) the opportunity to experience many of the great sights and cities of Europe and the U.S. as well as visits to South America and Australia.

John enjoyed sailing, long walks, working on projects around the home, and spending time in Vermont, where he and Rose had a vacation home in Brownsville for many years. He also taught himself to play the piano and guitar in his younger days (skills that endeared him to Rose's family, particularly around the holidays or whenever gathered to mull over who threw the overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder). He was a devout Catholic and until recently, attended mass regularly at St. Clements Church.

John will be remembered as a dedicated family man. He was a devoted husband and often remarked that meeting Rose was the best thing that ever happened to him. He took a keen interest in the lives and careers of his children and grandchildren, to whom he was always ready to offer insight and advice. He also derived a great deal of pleasure from the successes of people he was able to mentor and work with during his business career.

In addition to his wife Rose, he is survived by his son John Harrington and his wife Jennifer of Bolton, his daughter Catherine Harrington of New York City, and two granddaughters, Thalia and Shannon Harrington. John is also survived by his half-sister Cathleen Kelly of Holbrook, NY, whom he was fortunate enough to meet in his later years. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary Harrington and his foster sister Veronica Peuser.

His funeral was held on May 19th, with burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Greenwich.