In Remembrance of Mr. William F. Harrington Esq. Affiliate of the Province
05/14/2010
I N R E M E M B R A N C E
Province of Saint Mary Affiliate
Mr. William F. Harrington, Esq.
passes away at the age of 78
Mr. William F. Harrington, Esq., affectionately known a
“BJ,” passed away on 23 January 2010 at the age of 78.
Born on 03 December 1931 in Yonkers, New York to William
Patrick and Jane Harrington, he attended Saint Joseph Grammar
School and Gorton High School in Yonkers. He received a degree
in accounting from Manhattan College in 1953 and his law degree
from Fordham University School of Law in 1959.
He joined the law firm of Bleakley Platt and Schmidt in White
Plains, New York in 1959 where he practiced law for 51 years and
served as the law firm’s chairman and managing partner for 35
years. He was an accomplished attorney in trust and estate
litigation and oversaw the growth of Bleakley Platt into one of the
premier law firms in the region.
He served as Legislative Council to Lt. Governor Malcolm Wilson
between 1964 and 1973 and Town Attorney for the Town of
Pound Ridge from 1980 to 1985 and Town Justice between 1985
and 1991.
A devout and dedicated Roman Catholic, BJ served his church
and the Archdiocese of New York throughout his life. He was a
Trustee of St. Joseph Seminary and St. Patrick Cathedral, a
member of the Cardinal’s Committee of the Laity and the
Archdiocese’s Inner City Scholarship Fund.
He served as the Chairman of St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains,
New York and as Vice Chairman of St. Joseph Medical Center’s
Health Fund in Yonkers, New York.
He was a proud member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of
Westchester County, serving as the Chairman of the Society’s
Board of Stewards for over 25 years.
photos:
Ceremony of Affiliation 08 April 2000-Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, NY
[Bottom photo] William F. Harrington, Agnes Vaughan and Fr. John F. Clarke
Mr. Harrington also served on the Board of Directors of his beloved Fordham Law School, where he was instrumental in the creation of the Cardinal John O’Connor Chair for Theological Studies. He also served as a founding member of the Boards of
Directors of Pace Law School and The Ave Maria School of Law. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Sacred Heart High School, Iona Prep School and the School of the Holy Child. At the time of his death, BJ was the moving force behind the construction of the new Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Hospital in Yonkers, serving as the Hospitals Capital Campaign Chairman.
BJ was a Knight of Malta, Knight of the Order of St. Gregory theGreat and humbly accepted various awards throughout his life
including the St. Thomas Moore Award, The Fordham Law School Medal of Achievement, the Charles Carroll Award from the Catholic Guild of Lawyers, the Cardinal’s Committee of Laity Award, the Pro Eccelesia Et Pontifice Medal and Humanitarian Award for Life. Mr. Harrington was also an Affiliate member of the Province of Saint Mary of the Capuchin Order, affiliated at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, New York by provincial minister Bernard Smith, O.F.M. Cap. on 08 April 2000. In addition BJ proudly served as Grand Marshall for the Yonkers St. Patrick Day Parade.
BJ is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Audrey [Kazimir], his sons William [Carolyn] Harrington of Pound Ridge, NY, Brian [Elizabeth] Harrington of Pound Ridge, NY; Peter [Danielle] Harrington of Waccabuc, NY and daughters Mary Pat McCarthy and Mary Beth Harrington of Pound Ridge, NY; and nine grandchildren Caityln, Meagan, Emily, Luke, William Finian, Caroline, Hanna, P.J. and Jill. He is also survived by his two loving sisters Mary Harrington and Jane Devlin.
The wake was held at the Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Monday, 25 January and Tuesday, 26 January 2010.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, 27 January 2010 in Saint Patrick Cathedral at 10:15 a.m. Interment followed at the Cemetery of the Gate of Heaven in Valhalla, New York.