Raymond Harrington

Br. Raymond Harrington, C.S.C. Sept. 10, 1929 - Jan. 21, 2015 NOTRE DAME - Brother Raymond Joseph Harrington, C.S.C., age 85, died on January 21, 2015 at Dujarie House, in Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, IN. He was born in Chicago, IL on September 10, 1929, the son of John and Margaret (Maloney) Harrington. He went to St. Sabina Elementary School and Leo High School for a year, and then transferred to Calumet High School where he graduated in 1951. Raymond was the youngest of the five Harrington children. He must have been influenced by the example of his older brother, John, for he also joined the Brothers of Holy Cross eight years after John did. Raymond went to Sacred Heart Juniorate in Watertown, WI and received the habit of the Brothers on August 15, 1951 at St. Joseph's Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, IN where he made his first profession of vows as a Holy Cross Brother on August 16, 1952. He went to Austin, TX to begin college studies at St. Edward's University and earned a Bachelor's degree, graduating in February, 1955. After graduating from St. Edward's, Brother Raymond taught the spring semester at Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, OH. In the fall, he joined the faculty at Boysville of Michigan in Clinton, MI where he taught for two years. In the summer of 1957 he taught at St. Charles Boys Home in Milwaukee, WI and in the fall joined the faculty at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, IN where he taught and was the Chairman of the English Department for 16 years. During the summers, Raymond earned an M.A. in literature at DePaul University and also studied at Notre Dame, John Carroll University, and Gannon University. Students at Cathedral were enriched by Raymond's consistency and consideration as a devoted English teacher. Many who proceeded into professional positions in business and medicine repeatedly thanked Raymond for his patient guidance and instruction through the intricacies of English expression. Raymond would devote each summer to teach remedial English to young inner-city students at Holy Trinity High in Chicago, and never accepted a salary for his generous work. In 1973, he joined the faculty at Holy Cross College at Notre Dame where he excelled in teaching the required English Composition and Literature courses for 33 years, while serving as the Chair of the Humanities Division. Raymond once said, "I find it gratifying to see students' progress from the beginning to the end of the semester acquiring proven writing skills. I have faith and confidence that they will succeed. In learning, it is important not only to emphasize self-discipline but also self-confidence." Raymond retired in 2006 from teaching in the classroom, but continued for the next 8 years to be available every day at Holy Cross College as a tutor in the Writing Clinic of the College assisting and inspiring students. Raymond earned the praise and admiration of students and faculty as a master teacher who is ranked among the giants of the profession within Holy Cross. When Raymond would greet a person with the typical "How are you?" he meant it. He was truly interested in the well-being of that person. His excellence in teaching and/or counseling was second only to his quiet humility. He was noted for showing kindness and appreciation when offering his thanks and congratulations to a person for an accomplishment. For him, to spend one's life doing what matters is the greatest of all achievements. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31st, at Our Lady of Holy Cross Chapel [within the Dujarie House/Schubert Villa complex] from 9:30 to 11:00 am on the grounds of Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. The Mass of Resurrection will then follow with interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery of the Village. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions, in honor of Brother Raymond Harrington, C.S.C., to support the mission and ministries of the Brothers may be sent to: Brothers of Holy Cross, Office of Development, P.O. Box 460, Notre Dame, IN 46556.