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Thomas Harrington Memoriam

Thomas John Harrington, a Colorado Springs native and lifetime resident, who loved the outdoors, wrote poetically of the weather from the deck of a warship in 1946, and who competed fiercely at ping pong with his four boys during holiday tournaments, died Feb. 26. He was 84. Tom passed away at home, in the company of his family, from Alzheimer's disease. He is remembered as a kind soul who encouraged his children through thousands of scholastic, sporting and band events. "I am friendly with most everyone I know, and most of them are friendly with me," he wrote as a student at William J. Palmer High School, from which he graduated in 1945. "I am not a person that can hold a grudge against anybody for very long." That early self-assessment held until his death and guided his life. Tom had many jobs, including driving tourists to the top of his beloved Pikes Peak. Tom's professional career began at Alexander Film Co., where he wrote advertising copy, acted in commercials and most significantly, where he met his wife of 57 years, Sue Hadwick. While serving aboard the USS Curtiss, the 18-year-old sailor wrote of flying low over Japan, where he witnessed the "utter devastation" months after the end of World War II. When the sea turned "glassy calm," he took time to note in his journal how "the morning dawned bright and beautiful." Tom, who studied journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder, is survived by his wife and sons Bob, Jim, Mike and Patrick, four grandchildren and by his niece, Connie Smith Siegel. Memorial services will be held at Shove Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave., at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 9. The family would like to thank Pikes Peak Hospice for Tom's care.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette from Mar. 4 to Mar. 5, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Harrington

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Kathy Winner

March 29, 2012

Sue, Thinking of you at yout time of loss. What a very dear man and such a lovely tribute. I can't imagine the emptiness you feel. What a wonderfully long life you two had together.

Rosann Poltrone Pease

March 27, 2012

Dear Sue: what a lovely tribute. I am sorry I could not make the services. I hope that you can focus on the wonderful memories that you had together.

Carol Brady

March 27, 2012

Sue, again I am so sorry for your loss of Tom.
I always will remember him coming to the dog
shows with you and being so supportive of
what you loved to do. As a companion for 57
years, I can only imagine the loss you are feeling. Take comfort in your memories and
rely on all your "doggie" friends for support.

Lee Darrigrand

March 27, 2012

Hold on to your fond memories. What a special man... I remember Tom going to all the dog shows with Sue - how he loved the dogs. I am so sorry for your loss.

Marie Zimmerman

March 27, 2012

Sue, I only knew Tom towards the end of his time. What a wonderful man, and you a wonderful loving wife and mother. 58 years of memories. God bless.

Annell Mook

March 10, 2012

Sue, my heart goes out to you and your family during this time. What a lovely man who kept his beautiful ways in the middle of war, as well as in the middle of Alzheimer's. How blessed you and your family were to have had a man with such a golden core in your midst.

Greg Lynch

March 8, 2012

Sue,what a nice tribute to Tom - I never knew some of what was there. He led a remarkable life, had a remarkable marriage, and raised four wonderful sons. What more can a man ask? You are in our thoughts and prayers - your loss is unspeakable. How wonderful that you could share your marriage and his passing in the same chapel.

March 5, 2012

I am so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to his family. It is hard to lose a loved one . CC ODonnell

Linda Pike

March 4, 2012

What a lovely tribute to your husband. A man who lead such a full life. I'm so sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts and prayers!

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