James Harrington
Age - 89
November 26, 2023
James Edward Harrington, 89, died Friday, November 24 at the Holyoke Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was born on June 7, 1934 in Springfield to the late William J. and Agnes (McMahon) Harrington. Jim grew up with a neighborhood gang of friends who lasted a lifetime. He became an altar server at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, walking a mile each way with his mother to serve at Mass.
A graduate of Cathedral High School, Jim joined the United States Marines where he served at Camp Lejeune. Returning to Springfield, he met his friend Billy Broadbent's niece Judy and the two fell in love, marrying in 1959 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church. They began married life in a tiny attic apartment. Within four years, they purchased land in Westfield, built a home for their family, and joined Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish. Jim began his career with the U. S. Postal Service in 1962 and worked his way through the ranks, finally retiring as a transportation analyst in 1989. Over the course of his USPS career, Jim earned his bachelor's degree in history at Westfield State and he built an addition to his home, doubling its size. He spent his retirement years driving for a home medical supply company. Eventually Jim and Judy built a retirement home in Carolina Shores, NC where they joined Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish. They became involved in adult religious education, Eucharistic Adoration, and grew in their devotion to The Divine Mercy. Jim became a charter and lifetime member of the Carolina Borders Marine Corps League detachment 1036, serving in several officer positions and as Commandant. He worked tirelessly on the Toys for Tots campaign and food drives for the families of deployed Marines.
Throughout the years, Jim and Judy enjoyed family vacations: to Hampton Beach, NH, then to California to celebrate Judy's nursing school graduation, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Nova Scotia, as well as a Route 66 trek from California to North Carolina in Judy's inherited 67 Ford Mustang and travels to British Columbia, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, and France to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
After 20 years in Carolina Shores, Jim and Judy returned to Westfield where family could help them through the challenges of growing old. They moved into Armbrook Village and returned to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish. Most recently, they renewed their wedding vows at a parish celebration of marriage on October 28th.
In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his siblings, Kay Bukowski, Agnes Meunier, and William Harrington. He leaves the love of his life, Judith Harrington, his wife of 64 years. Jim also leaves his devoted children: Kelley Snoddy and her husband John of Columbus, IN, Kathleen Harrington of Westfield, Mary Snoddy and her husband, Andrew of Greenwood, IN, Maureen Phaneuf and her husband Daniel of Westfield, and Joseph Zazzaro and his wife Katie of Westfield; nine grandchildren: Rachael, Daniel, Tim, and Drew Snoddy, Sarah, Christina, and Anthony Zazzaro, and Antonio and Andre Phaneuf; and ten great grandchildren.
The family extends its thanks to the Westfield Fire Dept and EMTs, the Noble Hospital emergency room, Holyoke Medical Center ICU, and the medical team on the 4th floor, and especially to his nurse granddaughter Christina for their wonderful care of Jim in his final days.
Calling hours will be held at Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad St, Westfield on Tuesday, November 28 from 4-7 PM and 10 AM on Wednesday before leaving in procession to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church 127 Holyoke Rd. where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11AM. Internment at the Veterans Cemetery in Agawam will occur at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. https://www. toysfortots. org/. www. firtionadams. com
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