Dr. Edmund A. Harrington Jr.

NEW BEDFORD — Dr. Edmund A. Harrington, Jr., 64, of New Bedford, died unexpectedly at home on October 13, 2008. The son of the late Captain Edmund A. and Isabelle (Gomes) Harrington, he was born in Wareham and raised in New Bedford.

Ed attended both Holy Family Grammar and High Schools and was a magna cum laude graduate of Providence College, class of 1965, where he majored in Physics. He then obtained his Ph. D. in Nuclear Physics from the University of Notre Dame in 1970.

Dr. Harrington was employed as a telecommunications scientist by Bell Laboratories, Naperville, Ill., as the Director of Research and Development at California Microwave, and a senior engineering specialist for GTE, later known as General Dynamics, in Needham and Taunton. During this time he published numerous professional research papers in the fields of switching systems, microwave, satellite and fiber optic communications and was a presenter at many professional conferences. He was a contributor to many patents held by his employer in the above fields. Although he was involved in many government and civilian projects, being project manager of the GTE AirFone was the most enjoyable.

Always proud of his Irish heritage, Ed was also a proud and loyal Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics fan. He had been an amateur radio operator, obtaining his license in his early teens. A member of the Mattapoisett Power Squadron, he served as its treasurer.

Ed will be remembered by his family and friends as a quiet, unassuming intellectual, an avid reader and an all-around good guy.

Dr. Harrington is survived by his daughters, Patricia Harrington of Providence and Kelly Harrington Rossiter of Norway; his brother, Rev. Kevin J. Harrington, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in New Bedford; his sister, Gloria E. Healey and her husband, Walter of Lakeville; his former wife, Patricia Harrington of Mattapoisett; a sister-in-law, Ronnie Harrington of Brookline; and many nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Dr. Barry Harrington.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM in St. Francis of Assisi Church. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 222 Richmond St., Suite 204, Providence, RI 02903.

For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.