W. Alan “Al” Harrington of Needham died on Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Ellis Nursing Home in Norwood. He was 93 years old. Born in Worcester, Mr. Harrington was a graduate of Dartmouth College Class of 1936 and did graduate work at Northeastern University. He served as a budget officer for 30 years in the Army Research and Development work in Washington, DC and at the US Army Natick Laboratories. He also served as an Army Reserve Officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Harrington was very active in the Needham community. He was a former Town Meeting Member and Park and Recreation Commissioner. During his tenure as a Park and Rec Commissioner, he helped to develop the DeFazio Athletic Complex. Some of the other projects that were undertaken during those years included the construction of the pool at Rosemary Lake, the installation of lights at Claxton Field and the installation of tennis courts at Mills Field.
For over 25 years, Al was the sports writer for the Needham Times and Transcript. Al wrote about the accomplishments of student athletes in all sports. He won many local writing awards and one year won the Massachusetts Best Soccer Writer Award. Mr. Harrington was an active volunteer for the Needham Community Council fro over 25 years. He drove countless number of people to various medical appointments and was very involved in the Widowed to Widowed program. Mr. Harrington was also a member of the Retired Men’s Glee Club. In 2002 Al was presented The Richard P. Melick Foundation Award for his outstanding service to the community of Needham. The beloved husband of the late Eleanor Moyer Harrington, the late Margaret Meehan Harrington and the late Barbara Quann Harrington. He leaves a daughter Janet L. Potts of Norwood, a son, Douglas A. Harrington of Newport, RI, grandchildren Diane Potts Labella, Jeffrey L. Potts and Caitlin Harrington, a dear friend, Virginia Mitchell of Norwood as well as several step-children and step-grandchildren. A Funeral Service will be held at the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Highland Avenue Needham on Wednesday, May 23 at 10:00AM. Visiting Hours will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Avenue Needham on Tuesday from 4-7 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Needham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Al’s name may be made to the Needham Community Council, 51 Lincoln St Needham MA 02492