Mr. John F. Harrington, age 78, of Peabody formerly of Reading and Newton, passed away peacefully at his home in Brooksby Village, January 22, 2021. Jack, as he was affectionately known to friends and family, was the son of the late Arthur V. and Margaret (Stewart) Harrington.
Jack was raised and educated in Newton and was a graduate of Newton High School. He went on to further his education attending Northeastern University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. He also attended Babson College and the Wentworth Institute of Technology earning graduate degrees. Jack was a proud United States Army Veteran and served overseas in Germany for two years. Following his return home from the service, Jack began his career with western electric and was a dedicated employee for many years until his retirement. Not one to sit idle, Jack began his next venture and co-founded, and successfully owned and operated the Brighton Bottle & Can Redemption Center for over eight years.
Jack’s strong Catholic faith was a great source of comfort, and he was always willing to volunteer his time and energy for those in need. For many years he was an active volunteer at St. Athanasius Church in Reading where he founded and organized the fundraising Bottle & Can Drive. He was also an active volunteer in supporting the Mission of Deeds in Reading and in 2012 was awarded the Cheverus Medal by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley for his charitable works and service to the Catholic Church.
Jack was also proud of his Canadian heritage and served as the Treasurer and President of the Canadian American Club of Massachusetts. He looked forward to spending time with family on Prince Edward Island. He was an avid Boston sports fan, and in more recent years enjoyed the company of friends and dinner group at Brooksby Village. However, his greatest joy was his family and nothing made him happier than to be together with them and sharing in many happy family events. Jack will be fondly remembered for his gentle demeanor, his unselfish and kind ways, and his unconditional love of family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
Jack was the devoted father of Leslee Quick and her husband Marc of Wilmington, Robert Messier and his loving companion Kristen Stearns of Deerfield Beach, FL, Kayla Iacopucci, and her husband Anthony of Reading. He was the loving and proud grandfather of Jordan and Alexandra Quick, A.J., Elle, and newest grandson and namesake, Jack Harrington Iacopucci. Cherished brother of Louise Wallis of Ipswich and Grace Hayden of Georgia. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral Mass that will be celebrated in St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St., Reading, Thursday, January 28th, at 11 a.m. Family and friends are also invited to gather for an hour of visitation at St. Athanasius Church prior to the Mass from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Interment services will be private. All attending must wear a face mask and adhere to strict social distancing protocols. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to the Mission of Deeds Inc., 6 Chapin Ave, Reading, MA 01867, www.missionofdeeds.org, or to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226. Arrangements by the McLaughlin – Dello Russo Family Funeral Service of Woburn
