| Farewell to Dick Harrington (W887) Professor Emeritus of North American Wayfarer Cruising |
| Richard “Dick” Charles Harrington, 87, of Geneva, Ohio passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024, at UH Geneva Medical Center. Born July 29, 1936,
in Milford, MA, he was the son of Harold L. and Bertha M. “Betty”
(Wilder) Harrington. He went on to graduate from Northeastern University
in 1962 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of the
Beta Gamma Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, he served in the U.S.
Army and was honorably discharged in June 1965 as a First Lieutenant. In
1964, Dick married his first wife, Louise Niblack Harrington, the
mother of his five daughters, and later married Margaret R. Cervenik.
Both preceded him in death. Dick worked as an engineer and project manager at General Motors, Carborundum, Diamond Shamrock, Davy McKee, and Cleveland Electric Illuminating (later Centerior). In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, archery, camping with his family, and sailing his 16-foot Wayfarer, “Blue Mist.” In all of those endeavors, he had one essential companion: his Golden Retriever. With fellow sailors from the U.S. Wayfarer Association, Dick organized and led sailboat cruises in various locations, including the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. He also wrote stories about his adventures, many of which were published in sailing magazines. Family camping trips were memorable and occasionally terrifying, as Dick was not about to permit a failing car engine or other mishaps to abort a trip, even into the desert. In the arena of woodworking, Dick loved hand-crafting special items such as bookcases, writing desks, and ride-on toys for his children and grandkids. He retired to Geneva, Ohio with his longtime companion, Jane Korver. They enjoyed the area’s trails and famous vineyards with her four daughters and many friends. Dick also enjoyed traveling overseas to destinations including Turkey, Norway and Ireland – occasionally even sailing with European Wayfarer friends. Richard Harrington is survived by his five daughters, Patricia Harrington-Duff (Joseph Duff), Sally J. Harrington-Caldwell, Denise Ketcham (Rich Ketcham), Holly Yaniero (Robert Yaniero), and Rebecca Brown; best friend and longtime companion, Jane Korver; brother, David A. Harrington of Clarence Center, NY; twelve grandchildren, Ryan (Cassandra) S. Duff, Kyle A. Duff, Caia Caldwell (Sam Noerpel), Marissa Caldwell, Celia Caldwell, Genevieve Ketcham, Tristan Ketcham, Alexander Yaniero, Benjamin Yaniero, Grace Yaniero, Hope Brown, and Wyatt Brown; and one great-grandchild, Desmond Noerpel. Dick was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence H. Harrington; parents, Harold L. and Bertha “Betty” M. (Wilder) Harrington; paternal grandparents, Charles Matthew and Lillian Caroline (Lewis) Harrington; maternal grandparents, Frank C. and Alice V. (Lane) Wilder. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for the Summer of 2024, in or near Geneva, Ohio. Lake Erie Cremation and Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio assisted the family with arrangements. www.LakeErieCrematory.com |