Paul Herbert Harrington Jr.

Paul H. (Pat) Harrington, Jr. was born 11 August 1936 and departed this world 21 July 2025. He was the eldest of 5 boys born to Paul and Dee Harrington. He, his parents and his little brother Phil survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. Eventually, he followed in his father’s footsteps and attended the US Naval Academy. His company won the award for best company both his junior and senior years - winning consecutive years was an unheard of accomplishment. As a member of the Honor Guard, he represented the USNA at all of their formal and sporting events. He graduated from the USNA with an electrical engineering degree, an offer from the Philadelphia Phillies to play baseball, and a marriage engagement. He chose to join the Air Force where he completed his required service, 3 years active duty and 2 in the reserves. While in the AF, he was a Missile Maintenance officer in The Air Force Tactical Air Command overseeing development on the TM-76A & MGM-13A Mace Missiles, which contributed to large advancements in early guided missile systems. At one point, he escorted a nuclear weapon up from Florida to Virginia, as the main duty officer in charge during the flight and for the protection of the nuclear weapon. After the Air Force, he worked for GE in Syracuse, where he was assigned to work at Mission Control at Cape Canaveral, installing their first radar interferometer to track missiles and launches. Identified as one who could some day rise to the top of GE leadership, it was suggested that he get a law degree and an MBA. He moved his family to Virginia, where he worked for MITRE and attended law school at night at Georgetown University. Upon receiving his degree, he decided that law would be his profession. He worked in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office under Bob Horan, and eventually left to join a private law practice, Farley, Odin and Feldman, and others, until he opened his own firm, where he practiced law into his 80’s. He loved the beach, his home in Florida, baseball and his family. He is survived by his brother Terrence Harrington, his daughters Debbie Gilbertson, Karen and Jane Harrington, and his sons, Mark, Paul and Matthew Harrington; 6 nieces, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He will be having a celebration of his life at the Demaine Funeral Home in Fairfax, on August 11 at 10:30 a.m. He will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico.