WESTFIELD: Edward Dennis Harrington III, longtime resident of Westfield and retired State Police Lieutenant, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2014 after a short illness. He is survived by two children, his daughter Elisabeth (Betsey) Szemela and husband Keith of Agawam with grandchildren Joseph Edward and Madelynn Elisabeth; son Edward (Ted) Dennis Harrington IV and wife Lauren of Franklin, MA with grandchildren Connor Edward and Peyton Fitzgerald; and his former wife Sheila Fitzgerald Harrington. Ed also leaves his sisters Alison Johnston (Curt) of Hampton, NH and Janet Slabich (John) of Paxton, MA, brother James Harrington and Elaine Gaspar of Dartmouth, MA, and several nieces and nephews. Born on August 8, 1946 in Worcester, Massachusetts, son of the late Edward D. Harrington Jr. and Jean (Thomas) Harrington, Ed was raised in Holden and educated in the Holden Public Schools, Worcester Academy, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst prior to joining the Massachusetts State Police in 1968. During his 27 years on the State Police, he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Westfield State College. Upon his retirement in 1995 he worked for 10 years as a Criminal Justice Professor at Westfield State College sharing his real-life experiences in homicide investigation. He also worked 16 years at Tekoa Country Club Pro Shop, and served on the Board of Directors for the Westfield Soup Kitchen. Ed was a charter member of the Sons of Erin in Westfield and his passions included spending time with his children and grandchildren, helping his many friends and acquaintances stay focused on the truly important things in life, watching golf, and spending his winters in Sarasota, Florida. He was a longtime friend of Bill W. As a final selfless act, Ed has donated his body to UMass Medical School. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 12 -2 p.m. at the Firtion-Adams Funeral home on 76 Broad St. Westfield MA, with a funeral home service to follow the calling hours at 2 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Westfield Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 2017, Westfield, MA 01086-2017 or contribute to a planned Memorial Bench in his name at Tekoa Country Club by sending donations to The Edward D. Harrington III Memorial Fund at TD Bank, 60 Main Street Westfield MA, 01085 or depositing at any TD Bank location.
