Final Salute

Edward F. Harrington, aged 93 of South Weymouth, died peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family on October 17, 2023.

Ed was a 1948 graduate of Boston College High School. He joined the Seabees in 1951 and deployed to Guam and the Philippines. Returning to the States, he married the love of his life, Margaret (“Peggy”) McDonald of Dedham, in 1954. They started their lives, and their family of five children, in Roslindale, moving to South Weymouth in 1958.

Throughout his life, Ed exemplified the Seabees motto “Can do”. He enjoyed a long career as a heavy equipment operator with CJ Maney, JM Construction, and Reynolds Construction, and was a career-long member of the Local 4 Union of Operating Engineers where he continued to attend union meetings until just before his passing.

Upon his retirement, Ed remained active in construction projects on his home and the homes of his children. He selflessly dedicated his later years to caring for Peggy during her battles with Alzheimer’s disease and cancer which ultimately took her from him in 2015.

He will be fondly remembered for the yellow smiley face stickers he affixed to every birthday and holiday card, and for the Happy Birthday button he proudly wore on his lapel each birthday.

He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Marion (Sweet), and siblings Alice, Ruth (Paul) Wenger, John, and Joan (Ed) Conner. He is survived by his five children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and his cousin, Joanne Harrington.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation for Ed on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 4-7pm in the C.C. Shepherd Funeral Home located at 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) South Weymouth. Relatives and friends will gather on Tuesday morning in the funeral home for a Celebration of Life for Ed at 9:15am. A Funeral Mass will follow at Saint Francis Xavier Church in South Weymouth. Burial will be at Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or Jimmy Fund.

Posted online on October 19, 2023

Published in The Patriot Ledger