John Harkins

1933 - 2016

HARKINS- John Wilson, 83, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Clinton, South Carolina on September 13, 2016. John, or as many knew him Skip, was born in New York on June 12, 1933 to John and Grace Harkins of Lynbrook, NY and was the oldest of three children. He attended Saint Johns Prep School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Johns University. Next he served in the U.S. Army from July 1955 to May 1957 as a Specialist 3rd Class stationed first at Fort Knox, Fort Gordon, and then Hanau Army Airfield in Germany. He married Helen O'Reilly on May 16, 1959. John worked for many years on Wall Street as a stock broker but moved to Atlanta, GA in hopes his children would live near him when they set out on their own. He retired with his wife to Fernandina Beach, FL, but then moved to Clinton, SC a year ago to be near his son. John was a loving husband and father. He was at times a BSA Pack Leader, basketball coach, and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He served as an altar server and lector at church. He loved basketball, golf, singing, dancing, and body surfing at the beach. He was an avid reader who volunteered at the Fernandina Beach library. He briefly taught school at Saint Michaels in Fernandina Beach, and then took on tutoring after school. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen O'Reilly Harkins, and three children: Jeanne (Christopher) DeVita, Timothy James Harkins, and Catherine (Ken) Wills, and nine grand-children: Riley Harkins, Anne Marie DeVita, Peter DeVita, Brandon Wills, Jack Harkins, Theresa DeVita, James Wills, Daniel Wills and Allison Wills; his brother, Edward (Carole) Harkins, and his sister, Mary Ellen (Tom) Buckley. He is predeceased by his son, John Francis Harkins. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Annes, 35 Dartmouth Street, Garden City, at 10 am on Friday, September 16 followed by a graveside prayer at Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury, NY. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Covenant House - opening doors for homeless youth, one of his favorite charities. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grayfuneralhome.com Gray Funeral Home of Clinton