Gerald “Jay” Harrington
September 15, 1939 – January 10, 2021
He is survived by his children: Martin, Michael, Maureen, Michaela, Monica Harrington; Mary Beth Stanek, Marcy Thompson; 10 grandchildren.
VISITATION: Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 6-7pm, with VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, January 14, 2021, 10am, all at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church following CDC guidelines. Interment: St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorials to Creighton Prep, Class of 1957 and Logan Fontenelle Scholarship Fund. To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “view live service” button on the home page.
Gerald “Jay” was born to Gerald and Marjorie Harrington. He attended St. Peter’s grade school where he made good, life-long friends. Since he was an only child, he invested his time and energy with his friends at St. Peter’s and later at Creighton Prep.
His classmates at Creighton Prep became his second family. He never lost touch with them and loved being the organizer of class reunions and lunch gatherings. As most know, time with his classmates was a top priority and meant so much to him.
Jay and Mary Harrington were blessed with seven children. The children continued his legacy of enjoying the gift of gab with friends and family, learning, reading, and dialoging about ideas and current events. He also showed in action the importance of visiting grandparents. His children have many happy memories of piling into the car to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Harrington.
After his children had grown, he became a proud grandpa to 10 wonderful grandchildren. He always enjoyed attending their sporting events, seeing them receive the sacraments, and watching them graduate. Being around them and observing what they were interested in and their talents was important to him. He always remembered each one with a card and money on their birthday. No matter what, he always wanted the best for them.
Through his ups and downs in life, Jay stayed faithful to attending weekly Mass. He was also a lector and participated on Catholic School Boards during his 20’s and 30’s. His strong Catholic roots helped him to always have ‘hope’ throughout his life.
With his close ties to Creighton Prep, he was able to find his true calling and joy. He volunteered in his 60’s and 70’s as an archivist at Creighton Prep. Nate Driml, the Alumni & Development Operations Director at the time, recognized Dad’s talents, and interest in history, writing and organizing and Dad became the Prep Archivist. A room at Prep is named for his years of volunteer service. His family is so thankful to Nate and Creighton Prep for helping him find the vocation he yearned for in his life.
Dad’s last stop was at Notre Dame Housing. There he experienced the joy of community living. He was amazed and grateful for the network of residents supporting each other–sharing newspapers, food, and company. His friends and the Notre Dame Sisters gave him a true sense of the goodness of others. Most important, he found God’s ‘peace’ there.
His children would like to thank all the friends and family who gave our Dad love, mercy, and support during his life. You all taught us to extend God’s love and compassion to others. Thank you for your goodness.
9 Comments
For over 75 years we have been friends, way back to school days at St Peters. Will miss our reminiscing of years past, our great Irish memories that included so many friends that are waiting to welcome you. . The road has risen to meet you with the wind at your back and the sun shining warm upon your face. Until we meet again dear friend May God hold you in the palm of His hand.. God bless all that have been left behind as He has certainly blessed Jay/Gerald!
Jay and I were both friends and rivals since our days in grade school at St. Peters. As the years wore on, the rivalry evaporated and the friendship strengthened. Big gap while I was in military and he was having difficulties. We reunited in ’97, and have been very close, sharing many moments, laughter, sadness, and good food. .He was my tie to Prep, as I wandered the world. I will miss him dearly. RIP old friend.
Rest in Peace good friend .Will miss our daily paper runs and history talks.
Jay was the former husband of my good friend Mary Jean Connelly. Together they created a beautiful family of which they are both proud. . In life he had his troubles, but I am sure he is now resting in peace.
May God give you comfort 🙏
Enjoyed knowing Jay at our first Sunday after mass coffees at Notre Dame. Sympathy to the family. Rest in peace, Jay.
Jay, was one of a kind. Devoted his life to his family of 7 children and 10 grandchildren. His passion was for Creighton Prep and the Class of 1957. When his life long friend Logan Fonenelle died he said we must do something for Logan and Creighton Prep. So we started a memorial fund at Creighton Prep for Logan and the Class of 57. That fund has grown through donations of the Class and Friends to over $60,000 and helps the students attending Prep. I enjoyed my monthly phone calls with Jay talking about Prep, Class Reunions, Creighton U. Basketball and Nebraska U Football. I will dearly miss him
How deeply saddened I am to read of Jay’s passing today in my e-mail. Like many other Prepsters from our days there, I count him as one of my closest friends. We often celebrated our birthdays together, which were five days apart, and we spent many great times together playing basketball, going to dances, etc. I was with him at a dance when he first met Mary Jean. He was a true friend that would do anything for you, like driving all the way to Sioux City to stand up for me at my wedding. Our friendship always remained strong and easy when we talked, even though I had not actually seen him since I left Omaha shortly after my first son was born in 1963. I loved Jay like a brother and will always remember him as my warm and loyal friend. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends as I know that anyone who knew him is feeling the deep loss of a truehearted human being.
I’m so sorry to see you go, my friend. From the day we met as Freshmen at Prep, and up until now and beyond you’re always in my heart. Thanks for all the enjoyable times we’ve had together, playing sports, going to dances, or coming to my home when I lived on the Campus. I’ll never forget the “Bouncers” basketball team or the Proms, and certainly not the dance where you stole Mary Jean away from me. I’ll never forget you as my best friend in high school and Creighton U., taking time out from your law school studies to be my “best man” at my wedding in Salix, Iowa. You have been like a brother to me, even all the years I’ve been away from Omaha, There really never has been any distance between us. Talking to you on the phone was just like I’d seen you the day before, just like you were always there. You will always be in mind and heart with me, my friend and I wish you a safe and joyous journey “home”.
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