Deceased June 4, 2003
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In Memory
Iris and I made the slow trip to Springfield for the Hog’s wake and funeral. It was inevitable that we made this trip. I thought maybe he would make it to the next reunion. He so looked forward to them. And maybe the one after. But it wasn’t to be. He was gone.
The Hog had serious physical problems for almost 10 years, suffering from a large assortment of vascular problems and diabetes. He had his right leg removed below the knee several years ago because of terrible circulation problems. He had a surgery several months ago to try to restore circulation to his left leg. It was somewhat successful, but nevertheless diabetes and inability to heal were taking their toll. He had been in a great deal of pain on and off for several years and most recently was taking quite of bit of strong pain medication. He also was warned of three aneurysms that needed surgical repair. He refused more surgery because of the effect it might have on the circulation to the good leg. He told Bob Spielman ’70 and me that he couldn’t stand the thought of loosing both. He underwent a procedure on his remaining foot a few weeks ago and seemed to be recovering but was told he would need more. I guess his body couldn’t take it any more.
He had spoken to the class at our 30th, telling of his predicament and opening his heart for all to see.
He passed away at home early in the morning of June 4, 2003.
Rich wanted to be The Hog, notorious for his bawdiness, his persona so defined and nurtured. We met as freshmen in Morrow. “Hi, I’m Rich Harrington, but my friends call me The Hog.” We then roomed together for three years, at first in the Beta House. He had a construction plan, and we would arrive early sophomore year to implement it. We would construct our social room utilizing two-by-fours, plywood, hammer and nail and stain and varnish. The Hog was a carpenter. And when we were done, we had a custom social environment, a couch and a bar and a loft with a ladder, and a special place in the house to amaze all. He was the Beta Sandwich Man for a year. He would be annoyed if I didn’t recollect his talent for writing poetry and occasional artistic endeavor. He was playful and a prankster, mischievous at times, once freezing my beloved bathrobe of many colors in an outstretched position on a minus-15 winter day. He was a member of the Young Republicans, arguing his positions against all comers. “I am to the right of Genghis Khan,” bragged he. He enjoyed political science, his major. He ran for the Springfield School Board while still a student. He loved to play rugby and later helped found the Springfield Rugby Club. Gerry Kozlow, who roomed with us senior year, remembers his “beet-red face and squatty wobble of a running style on the rugby pitch.” He also points out that to really know The Hog, you had to be there.
Prior to our 25th Reunion, we sat for hours and he told me about the College back then. I had forgotten so much. He vividly remembered small details of those amazing times and transported me there as only he could. He loved the College, as it was always a big part of his life, always promoting it and always giving back. He worked as class social chairman, arranging festivities for the 30th Reunion and subsequent tailgates at Homecomings.
Rich was a voracious reader. His home is full of wonderful books, hundreds and hundreds, all over the place, stacked here and there and everywhere. No doubt he remembered every word. After the funeral, friends commented that they wanted the books, that they had to have them, somehow seeking to obtain what he had known and his capacity to know. He was the brightest of the bright.
Rich earned a law degree in 1973 from the University of Connecticut and began a practice specializing in real estate and contracts. Early on, he served on the city’s Conservation Commission and chaired its planning board. In the recent past, for several years, his disability kept him from working, and he missed it so. He was elated when the opportunity to work came from the Springfield City Law Department, working on conservation issues and making an important contribution to the city. He was honored posthumously by the Springfield Conservation Commission, which named a 20-acre wetland tract as the Richard D. Harrington Conservation Area. It’s located near White, Tiffany, Fountain and Webber streets.
Hog was a loyal friend, sincere and caring to many. He reveled in his friendships. He was a confidant, the dependable friend who always had a good word and a listening ear and good advice. As a quick wit, he liked to trade barbs. Despite his physical hardships he was always sympathetic and empathic. He loved his friends and would talk about their escapades at great lengths. He always spoke to me about his close friends from Springfield Cathedral High, Rudi and Carney and Appleton and DelNegro and Sweeney. And there was Tim Mannion, a close friend from rugby, hiking partner and his attorney. The annual New Hampshire fishing trip was a ritual highlight. Even when disabled, they got the Hog there.
Cousin Jack spoke at the funeral and helped us all by relating that ‘Rick’ recently told him that he had a good life, was very happy and had much to be thankful for. Hog had told me the same thing, no doubt because a special friend Linda O’Brien had come into his life. No doubt because the gang cared for him, always being there for him as he was for them. And he loved his two sons, Dan ’99 and Jeff. He was always so proud of them, Dan becoming a geologist and Jeff, a young man off to college.
He lived with his mother, Rita, when he passed. He leaves his wife, Mimi, and sister Calla, and sons Dan and Jeff and all of us who knew him. We all say goodbye much too early. Hog, you’re forever in our hearts.
Bob Bernstein ’70