Mark L. Harrington

Mark Leo Harrington was born October 28, 1951 and died October 5, 2021 at University of Minnesota - M Health Fairview Hospital with his loving wife and son by his side, 11 days before their 28th wedding anniversary. Preceded in death by his parents, Mort and Margaret; and his nephew, Todd Carson. He is survived by his wife, Julie (née Jannis); son, Patrick Dennis and his dog, Snow. He is also survived by his siblings, Patricia (James) Adams, Kathleen, Mary Lou (Michael) Carson; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and other family members. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30am Tuesday, October 12 at Church of the Holy Childhood, (1435 Midway Parkway, St. Paul) with visitation one hour prior. Mass will be livestreamed https://livestream.com/accounts/5053468/events/9883124   Burial Calvary Cemetery. Masks are required at the Church and Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the family. Thank you to all the medical staff at M Health Fairview East Bank Hospital 4C ICU.

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From his brother-in-law Jim

Mark, I called him the quiet man, as he was a person of few words but when he spoke people listened as he would always add to a person’s knowledge.

My first real experience with Mark was way back sixty years ago when I was dating Mark’s sister Patricia. I had just finished playing a softball game and still in uniform when Pat and I stopped by the Harrington home at 230 Upton. Mort Harrington, Mark’s father said, as long as your still in uniform maybe you could give Mark a few tips with his new baseball glove. Soon we on our way to the park just down the street and playing catch things were going well until I threw the ball up very high to stimulate a fly ball. Mark charged to make the catch but soon misjudged the ball and was hit squarely between the eyes, knocking off his glasses and creating a huge bump in the middle of his forehead. Oh boy what a way to impress the family.

As we walked back to the Harrington home and entered the first thing Mort and Margret saw was this huge bump on Mark’s forehead. After explaining I had thoughts that any romance in the future was about ended----- I got lucky and it’s lasted fifty-nine years. Needless to say, Mark and I have enjoyed many of these years.

Mark in his younger years must have had many challenges but maybe the biggest was to find bathroom time in a house with only one bathroom and living with three teenage sisters. I guess he had to develop a large bladder as he didn’t get much bathroom time.

Mark’s beard, I guess that’s what they called it, but you must admit that at times the beard got a little scruffy or wild. Finally, the time came that would result in a showdown. Mort, marks father had passed away and Pat and I were helping Margaret plan for the funeral and reception. Margret, turned to me and said, my biggest worry is to get Mark to trim his beard but he’s so proud of that beard that I don’t think he’s going to get it trimmed. The night of the reviewal in walks this tall very distinguished well-dressed man, no other than Mark looking like a million bucks. But that’s the kind of person Mark was, to do anything to make his mother and family proud of him.

Oh boy, Mark loved his Minnesota Vikings and seldom ever miss watching them on TV, he also enjoyed Minnesota Gopher sports and later in life when Patrick began playing hockey became a Minnesota Wild fan. But Mark was always a very competitive guy, especially with board games and any games/events that had either a prize or a few dollars involved. At Christmas and Thanksgiving or any family get other we always played games, set up by Lisa or Janet that involved doing crazy things and lots of laughter, Mark, would always go full out to win, cheering on excitingly if he won somethings and also encouraging Patrick and Julie when they won.

I think the happiest times I recall Mark ever being is when the time came to marry Julie, the wedding was wonderful but the joy of happiness was written all over Mark’s face the entire evening, you could tell just how happy he was as he was overwhelmed with joy. I guess the second time I witnessed Mark overwhelmed with happiness was when Patrick was born and he became a father. Yes, these and many other events made Mark a very proud happy man, a real family man, who cherished his time with his family and friends and lived life to the fullest right up to the end.

But the one thing that will remain with me all my days will be how such a quiet man, who seldom if ever raise his voice or yelled could remain so even keeled almost all the time. I never heard Mark ever say an unkind would about another person------I think his love of his family and his friends caused to always be tolerant of others no matter what they said or whatever they did, Mark, just would turn his cheek and walk away. I guess that’s what all us Christians are supposed to do, but Mark did it and others like me fail many times.

When you lose someone like Mark you lose a little bit of your heart as his presents and being your friend meant so much to all those who loved him. We have lost Mark but he will always be part of us, in our hearts, our prayers, and all the wonderful memories. If I can pass on one final message to all of those who read this my message it would be; Show your love to all those you love----- NOW and everyday as when you lose them----- it might be too late and you will wish you have not put off what you could have done sooner. Remorse can be tough to live with--- so don’t make excuses.

Written by his sister, Pat

I remember in 1969 finding out that Mark was in Sullivan County New York at The Woodstock Festival. 

Mark was a boy Scout leader and attended many camps and outing with Patrick and he loved every minute of being involved. Recently the family invested in a pop-up trailer and kept the camping experience going almost every weekend.

Oh, Mark liked the ponies and even tried to make a living by playing the horses. The highlight of playing the ponies was the ultimate trip to the Kentucky Derby with Julie.

Mark’s education was grade school at Basilica, then onto Benilde High school in Saint Louis Park, he briefly attended Saint Thomas College before wanting to attend Vocational training to become a mechanic.

I remember the time Mark drove all the way out to Todd’s wedding in Montana with his sister Pat. They had to stop and get gas and Pat and Mark noticed that they probably ran over a wild animal. Mark had to get the gas station hose and wash the under-side of the Minivan before they continued on. They had so much fun on this trip and Mark greatly enjoyed the ride down the river for Todd’s wedding.

Please share your memories of Mark.

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