Walter E. Harrington, a 60 year resident of Wakefield, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at his home in Wakefield following a lengthy illness. He was 86 years old.
Walter was born in Malden on September 28, 1926, a son of the late Arthur J. Harrington and Gertrude (Monahan) Harrington. He grew up in Malden where he attended the Chevrus School and Malden High School. Walter enlisted into the United States Navy on May 9, 1944 and served his country proudly and honorably during World War II. He was awarded, American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 2 Battle Stars Iuo Jima & Okinawa, Philippines Liberation & China Service Navy Combat Ribbons. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1946 with the rank of Radarman Third Class. He was Past Commander of V.F.W. Post # 639 of Malden and enjoyed attending the annual reunion for U.S.S. Estes. Walter worked as a Banker most of his life and was a former Vice President of Melrose Savings Bank for 15 years, a Manager for Malden City Employees Credit Union for 10 years, and Manager for Malden Savings Bank. Walter was an avid Numismatic and a daily communicant with his wife Shirley at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Wakefield.
Walter is the beloved husband of 60 years to Shirley G. (Sullivan) Harrington. He is the devoted father of Gary Harrington of Wakefield, Paula Anzalone and her husband Mark of Reading, Paul Harrington of Wakefield and John Harrington of East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the loving Grampy to Michelle Harrington and Adam Harrington of Saugus and Mark Anzalone and Derek Anzalone of Reading. He is the father-in-law of Teresa Harrington of Saugus. He is the beloved brother of Mildred Harrington of Stoneham, Mary Adams of Malden, Elizabeth and Carl Waite of Malden and the late Shirley Smail and her husband Ernest of Stoneham and Arthur Harrington and his wife Ann of Portland, Maine.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Walter's Funeral Mass on Friday, November 23, 2012 at 10 a.m. in The Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield. Interment is private. There are no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Walter's name to St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School, P.O. Box 610, Thoreau, New Mexico 87323-0610 or VNA of Middlesex-East Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North Avenue, Suite 17, Wakefield, Mass. 01880.