Colin James Harrington

Colin was the second of six sons born to Thomas George Harrington and Hilda May Naylor just months after the onset of World War II. He remembered sheltering when the sounds of the V1 and V2 rockets that relentlessly bombed his birthplace of London, England were heard. The resultant war torn landscape was he and his brothers’ playground.

Colin was never scared of hard work. At the age of 11 he began working as a ‘barrow boy’ hocking wares out of a wheelbarrow he would cart around war torn London. On weekends he would attend the local football (soccer) pitch selling programmes of the games. Later his ready smile and infectious laugh made him a favourite as a sales clerk at the counter of his parents’ confectionery shop, “The Elite”. Colin loved his sweets.

Colin attended Stratford County Grammar School where he was the first student to earn a full university scholarship to Manchester University to study Mathematics. While studying at Manchester, he attended a dance where his future wife Patricia Uttley, spotted him across a crowded room as he was wearing a bright yellow waist coat. She was immediately captivated. He eventually dated and married Pat but only after dating her roommate first. Colin graduated in 1961 from Manchester University with a First Class Honours in Mathematics, and an invitation to stay on at the school to complete his PhD. Colin, however, rejected the offer to begin his new life with Patricia.

His first foray into the professional world was in England where he descended into coal mines to do research as a Mathematical Statistician. This position was short lived and gave way to what would become Colin’s real vocation in life, teaching.

In early 1963, Colin took his first teaching position in London at Forest School. Colin and Patricia welcomed their son Mark and daughter Frances during this time. In January 1966 Colin moved his family to Africa to teach at Teso College in Soroti, Uganda. Unfortunately, a young Idi Amin was appointed chief of Uganda’s army and air force shortly after their arrival. Colin became uncomfortable with this political development and astutely moved his young family to Canada.

In Canada, Colin immersed himself in his new community. He taught as a high school mathematics teacher from 1969 to 1994 in the city of Cambridge. His former students will remember well his granting of “JG” or “JGS” meaning “Jolly Good” or the most coveted “Jolly Good Show” for work well done. Not satisfied with teaching only math, he also tried to enrich his students’ vocabularies by always teaching a “word of the day”.

Colin always had an overwhelming social conscience. He believed in making the world a better place. This led him to join the political landscape. He became President of the local chapter of the NDP in the 1970s into the 1980s, and later became a City Councilor for Cambridge in the 1980s. After his teaching career ended, he spent 20 years as a School Trustee. His tenure spanned the entire length of his grandchildren’s school careers. He wanted to ensure his grandchildren’s school board was well run.

Anyone who knew Colin knew of his love and mastery of Duplicate Bridge. He became enamoured with the game at university where he’d skip many a class to play. Over his lifetime he would play at any opportunity and was a decades long member of the Guelph and Kitchener clubs. He was well-renowned throughout the entire bridge community. He was the winner of dozens of sectional and regional tournaments over his lifetime. His achievements culminated in him being awarded his Life Master designation in 1983, his Diamond Life Master designation in 2008 and his Emerald Life Master designation in 2017. There are anecdotes of people bowing when his name was mentioned in Bridge circles; everyone relished the opportunity to play with Colin.

Colin read widely and deeply on many topics. This steered him to his faith. Despite getting his lowest marks at school in “Divinity” he converted to the Anglican faith before he married Patricia. He was a long-time member of St. Thomas Church in Cambridge, where he was also the treasurer for more than twenty years and near the end of his attendance there, the sole member of the choir. He loved to sing. He began attending Trinity Church when he could no longer drive. In 2003 The Diocese of Huron awarded Colin the Bishop’s Award for Excellence in Ministry- a lifetime achievement. Colin’s actions always reflected those of his faith.

Colin loved to think, sing and move. He played squash and ran until being hit by a car. Not one to be defeated, despite a permanent change from his injuries, he’d walk miles daily typically being out for at least 3 hours. He’d sing and contemplate during his ramblings. He went on hiking trips with his daughter where they’d read the same books and then discuss the content. This created a safe place to explore delicate topics.

Colin’s life was a roadmap of service to his communities. Whether he was hocking smiles and candy, instructing the next generation, or rolling up his sleeves to get into city and church politics, Colin was passionate about being involved. That involvement was never more apparent than when Colin was with his family. Described as kind, gentle and trustworthy, Colin believed in integrity and never loaned a thing when he could gift it instead. He was the most excellent husband and dad and proudly supported his wife, children and grandchildren in all their endeavours.

As his family we think of his twinkling eyes, beaming smile and infectious, boisterous laugh and we remember his kind and sage words, his joyous singing and his undisputed intelligence. He was truly a beloved man. He will be sorely missed.

Jolly Good Show Colin on a life well, well lived.

Colin is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Mark (Susan), his daughter Frances (Graham), his grandchildren James (Aida), Catherine, Geoffrey (Danielle) and Naylor (Heather), and his great grandchildren Arthur and Colin.

The family wishes to extend great appreciation to the staff at Winston Park Long Term Retirement for their extraordinary care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donating to your favourite charity.

The funeral service for Colin will be held Thursday April 24, 2025, at Trinity Anglican Church at 2pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at The Cambridge Mill at 3:30pm.