Harry “Lee” Harrington

Harry “Lee” Harrington, 79 of Oak Ridge, NJ left the building on Monday, September 27, 2021.

Lee was born in Tonopah, Nevada, the son of Charles Kelvey Harrington and Marcia (Jury) Harrington and the younger brother of Linda (Harrington) Hausman. Raised in Wayne, NJ, he graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1960. After one year at Norwich University in Northfield, VT, he transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology in New York where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Lee’s first job after college was working as an accountant for Bendix Corporation. He eventually decided to work for his father-in-law at Ideal Construction in Riverdale, NJ. After a time, again, circumstances lead to Lee’s conclusion that self-employment was probably in his best interest. Over the course of the rest of his construction career, he started several successful companies, the most recent being Harrington Building Contractors, Inc. of Oak Ridge.

Outside of his family, Lee’s favorite things in life included leisure times at his house in Monterey Beach, NJ, his many loyal dogs including his present dog Eva who was always by his side providing dedication and loyalty to the extreme throughout his battle with Parkinson’s, and sipping a nice glass of Leroux blackberry brandy.

Above all else, Lee’s family held the highest place of importance in his life. Lee was married to Patricia for 34 years. Prior to her passing in 2018, Lee chose retirement from his business so that he could attend to all Pat’s needs as her health condition worsened. He was fiercely loyal in his care of Pat and apparently meant it when he said he would rather die than live without his beloved wife. Lee’s son Tyler and daughter Sage were his greatest source of pride. Lee relished everyday working in the business with Tyler. Sage was his caregiver, as Parkinson’s necessitated full time care. One time, in Sage’s quest to help her father find some relief from symptoms, she treated him to some pot-laced cookies. The dose that seemed to do the trick was about a quarter of a cookie at a time. Lee liked the cookies! In fact he liked them so much that on one occasion, he dipped his hand into the cookie jar and ate a whole cookie. Talk about relief! He ended up calling Sage to share his experience. He said, “I was having a dream which I woke up from but I couldn’t find my way out of the dream.” Good times in the midst of his battle! Lee was “Vodka” to his grandson Chase. He thought it was so cool having a grandson and loved to hear all the accounts of Chase’s baseball and football games. Recently Chase became the proud owner of a new quad ATV. Lee enjoyed hearing the sound of that machine as Chase raced it around the property. His only regret was not being able to be riding it with Chase. Then there was AP who Lee always looked forward to enjoying precious Monday night dinners with.

Lee! You will be missed more than you will ever know! You will be always admired and respected for being a straight shooter who simply told it as it truly was. You never, ever complained. Thanks for that! Thanks also for treating us to your super dry sense of humor which ironically always dripped with sarcasm.

Lee was predeceased by his parents Charles and Marcia Harrington and his wife Patricia (Stack) Harrington. He is survived by his sister Linda Hausman of Schnecksville, PA, his son Tyler Harrington and wife Arlene/Audrey, his daughter Sage Grant, his grandson Chase Grant of whom he was so proud, and his stepsons Todd Lantier and wife Sheila and James Lantier. Special thanks also to Mary Aiello who was Lee’s phenomenally compassionate hospice caregiver. You are a kind-hearted angel and Lee was crazy about you!

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Lee’s name are asked to consider:
West Milford Animal Shelter
P.O. Box 72
Lycosky Drive
West Milford, NJ 07480
To donate online, click here

The End.