Sean G. Harrington, 65, beloved husband of Virginia “Ginny” (Widmann) Harrington for 42 years, died at peace on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in his home with family and friends by his side. Sean was born on the family homestead, “Shandrum”, in Bantry, County Cork, Ireland on May 15, 1952, the son of the late Denis Harrington and Kathleen (O’Connor) Harrington. While the official birth certificate has his name recorded as John, from infancy he was called Sean, by all who knew him.
Sean is the Gaelic derivative for John and the two names are often used interchangeably in the “old country”. A bit confusing at times, it was a great way to ward off telemarketers. Anyone calling asking for “John” likely didn’t know him… Now you know.
Sean immigrated from Ireland to Providence, with his mother and sister Noreen, in 1965. Settling in the Fox Point neighborhood of the City, he attended Classical High School for one year before transferring to Hope High School, from which he graduated in 1970. The first of his family to go to college, Sean was part of the Class of 1974 at the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a minor in Insurance.
He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity where he forged many lifelong friendships. In 1974 Sean landed his first job out of college with Loyal American Life Insurance Company, where he was in sales. Not the right fit for him, he pursued other employment opportunities, until in October 1976, he was offered an Underwriting position with AMICA Insurance Companies.
This was not just another job for Sean. AMICA became a second family, a company to which he was fiercely loyal spanning a career of three decades until his retirement. AMICA embodied so many of the core values important to Sean.
The quintessential family man, Sean involved himself with everything associated with his 3 kids. From Coach to their biggest fan, he was not only on the sidelines, but served on the Executive Boards of Warwick West Side Little League, Warwick Firefighters Soccer Association and Pilgrim High School Booster Club. In retirement Sean became even busier than when he was working.
He could be found at Mulligan’s Island where he was known to help pick the range, bartending over the years at Top of the Bay and O’Rourke’s in Pawtuxet Village and as an umpire with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, something he enjoyed enormously. At the community level he served as a volunteer for McAuley Ministries and was a member of the Pawtuxet Athletic Club. An avid sports fan, Sean loved the New England Patriots starting in the abysmal 1970’s when the team called Schaefer stadium home.
What a ride leading up to 2018! A latecomer to the game of golf, Sean loved being on the links, more for the shared camaraderie than for his final score. Sean preferred simplicity over fanfare.
He came from humble roots but was rich in all the ways that mattered. Throughout his life, and especially during times of adversity and challenge, Sean was a man of grace, courage and dignity. He loved and was loved by many.
His wife, children and grandchildren were his heart and joy. Loved ones that will miss Sean until they meet again are his daughters and sons in law, Courtney and Travis Fraley and Rebecca and Lou Simone; his son and daughter in law, Shane and Kathy Harrington, and his precious grandchildren: Corbin and Olivia Grace Fraley, Bradi Lea and Louie Joseph Simone and Natalie Sophia Harrington. Sean is also survived by his sister, Noreen, and a large and supportive extended family of in laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
His funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 11 am in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave. , Warwick. Visiting hours Monday 4-7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Elizabeth Buffum Chace Cente, P.O. Box 9476, Warwick RI 02889 or McAuley Ministries, 622 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, will be appreciated.
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