Robert T. Harrington Print E-mail

 

Robert T. Harrington

 
Accomplished attorney, scholar and athlete;
 
 Robert T. Harrington, 72, a member of a well-known Greater Lowell family, died peacefully Wednesday evening after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family at D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell, Massachusetts.
 Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, February 26, 1945, the youngest of four children to the late Richard M. and the late Alice (Hart) Harrington, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School in the Class of 1962.
 An outstanding scholar athlete at Lowell High, Bob was the 1962 Class Valedictorian and a Carney Medalist. In addition, he served as President of both the Student Council and the National Honor Society. In sports, Bob had the very rare distinction, in his senior year, of earning four varsity letters. Captain of the undefeated golf team, he was also a starting tackle for the football team, and was outstanding in the shot put and discus events for the track and field team with several school records.
 Bob went on to attend Harvard University where he continued his athletic career as a member of the track and field team. In 1966, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard.
 He then attained his Juris Doctorate in 1969 from Boston College School of Law where he served as Editor and Chief of the Annual Survey of Massachusetts Law.
 Bob served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves in the 1970s during the Vietnam War.
 An accomplished attorney, Bob began as a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court. He then became partner at Burns & Levinson in Boston. In 1980, he was a founding partner with Posternak Blankstein & Lund and then became a sole practitioner specializing in civil trial and appellate cases until his retirement in 1995.
 Following his retirement, Bob returned to Lowell and volunteered as a LHS track and field coach. During his ten years as a volunteer coach, he helped several athletes achieve records and honors at the state and New England levels in the shot put and discus competitions. True to his own success, he also mentored many of his athletes, including assisting them in pursuing higher education.
 In November of 2016, Bob was recognized for his impressive accomplishments by being inducted into the Lowell High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In his introduction it was noted that he “takes his place as perhaps the most accomplished student-athlete in the long and storied history of Lowell High School”.
 Dedicated and committed to his own goals in life, Bob was extremely thoughtful regarding family and never lost his great sense of humor.
 Bob is survived by three siblings Richard Hart Harrington and his wife Rosemary (Burke) of North Andover, Mary E. Harrington of Boston, and John P. Harrington and his wife Sheila (Vaughan) of Lowell; a niece and six nephews Marybeth LaFauci, R. Burke Harrington, Mark R. Harrington, Patrick M. Harrington, Timothy R. Harrington, John D. Harrington and Gregory A. Harrington; twelve grandnieces and grandnephews; and several cousins.
 The Harrington family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care that the staff at D’Youville Senior Care always provided to Bob during his stay with them.
  Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 2 to 5 P.M. Sunday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Monday morning at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o’clock followed by his burial at St. Patrick Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to D’Youville Foundation, 981 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.
Condolences (4)
  • Marianne Rader LPN
    My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Bob will be missed.
  • Philip & Lynne Scannell  - Remember
    John and family. I remember Bob well ,watching him at LHS. and at the pool. Thoughts and prayers to all,
  • Noreen Dunlavey MacDonald  - Condolence
    Want to express my sincere condolences to Bob's family. Last time I spoke with Bob was just before our 50th high school reunion. I was trying to encourage him to attend the reunion. During our long phone call (which I am so grateful for) I learned things I didn't know about his high school career. I knew he was the "brain" of our class, we all knew that. But, I didn't realize he was a 4 letter athlete. He had me retrieve my yearbook (during our phone conversation) and pointed me to the pages that he was shown in all the teams he was part of.) He was our Class valedictorian. We all knew there was no choice but for Bob. Back in the Lowell High Class of 62 - NO ONE WENT TO HARVRD except Bob. He was always a LEADER. Everyone in the Class of 62 looked up to Bob. May you rest in peace, Bob. You were the best of the best!! Noreen
  • Richard Falardeau  - Deepest Sympathies
    Dear John and the entire Harrington Family -- We are very sorry and share in the grief of your loss. Bob was the definition of a true friend. We will miss him very much. We keep Bob and all of you in our prayers. With our sincere condolences, Richard Falardeau and family
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