Devoted family man, avid conservationist, outdoorsman, and master craftsman, Richard Lee Harrington, passed away on November 4, 2024, at the age of 60. He was surrounded by his closest family members. Rick fought (EHE) Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma for years. EHE is a very rare, one in a million cancer with no standard treatment. His life and legacy will be carried on and honored by his loved ones through them living their lives to the fullest and by remembering him in every joyful moment.

Rick was born in Burlington Vermont on March 23, 1964. As a child he lived in Jamaica and Chester until he moved to his long-term childhood home in Perkinsville VT. He was a self-described "very busy and curious child". These qualities never left him. As a child he spent as much time outside as he could; riding bikes with his sister Carolyn, taking his .22 out for target practice, building forts and small camps, skiing the hill at their home with rides to the top on the bumper of the family car (a VW Bug), yard sales on Saturdays, or building a model car or airplane. Rick and Carolyn enjoyed camping trips with their father and Rick inherited the same camper, in which he was able to share his love of the outdoors and adventure with his own children.

As he grew older, he enjoyed a high school football career in Springfield Vermont, as a running back, slot receiver, and some defensive positions as well. He worked full time at McDonalds in 1980 at 16 years old in the summer earning a minimum wage of $3.35 an hour. During the school year he cut way back on his hours to accommodate football. Rick took a job as a ski instructor at Okemo for the 82/83 season after graduating from SHS and before enlisting in the Air Force in December 1983. He served active duty for 6 years, following that with 4 years in the Air National Guard. During his service he was commended for his "Exceptional Technical Knowledge and his Aggressive Leadership Ability" as a Communications Specialist at Clark Air Base, Philippines. While stationed in the Philippines, he was a member of the Clark AB Rugby Football Team and the 1961st Comm Group Golf Team.

During his time in the Philippines, his three children were born. Rick was a devoted father and gave everything he had to being a kind, loving, and thoughtful provider. As his children grew, he sought to share his love for the outdoors by creating incredible features and play structures at every place they lived. These include but are not limited to zip lines, skating rinks, a half pipe, a tree swing, tree house, a two-story snow fort, and igloos. Many hours were spent on the river learning to water ski and getting too much sun.

Rick was a very engaged father to his children and mentor to many more. He found much value in coaching kids. His coaching specialty was football. He was trustworthy, caring, kind, but also serious about the game and making sure he coached kids to be the best players possible. He was a positive influence on his son's life and many other young men's lives by teaching them to put the maximum effort into whatever they were doing so that they could achieve their goals on and off the field.

Rick's grandson Joey was one of his greatest joys. All Joey's life, his grandfather was at his beckon call; Joey's success and self-confidence being Rick's top priority. Joey and his Papa went on every adventure they could, and Joey was always encouraged to try new things. Papa showed Joey that he would put up a fight against his illness and was an example of endurance and a positive mental attitude for years. Joey loved his Papa very much and was lucky to have him to look up to.

In keeping with his childlike curiosity and busyness, he had many hobbies and completed countless projects throughout his life. The list is extensive and includes hiking, skiing, kayaking, boating, beekeeping, sugaring, gardening, composting, canning, and cooking. Rick was an exceptionally skilled craftsman and creator, and throughout his life built several houses, many stone walls, more than a few fireplaces, pathways, and other stonework. He gave his children the confidence to try new things and to believe that success was possible.

Later in life, Rick moved and worked at his favorite job, Resort Manager at a large camping resort in Moody Beach, Maine from 2012 until 2018. He began learning to play guitar, as his active curiosity was never satiated.

On Valentine's Day in 2018, Rick went on his first date with the love of his life, Barbara, or more fondly known to him as "Babs". Their love is one for the ages and it moved just as quickly as it could. By October 19, 2019, they were married and happier than ever. Rick expressed to this writer and to anyone who would listen, how elated he was to have finally found The One. Together, they got their forever dream home on a lake in Sanbornville, NH. The two adventured to their heart's content. They shared the joy of transforming their new home to their exact tastes. He expressed in a journal entry to his children that one of his greatest simple pleasures in life was him and Babs taking their kayak out, their dog Harvey between them, sharing a Cuban cigar and picking wild blueberries on their lake with a cool beverage between their knees. His love for her is forever.

He is survived by his wife of 5 years, Barbara Oliver Harrington, his 3 children, Jillian Ellen Harrington, Kristin Mary Harrington, and Kyle Benjamin Harrington, his treasured grandson William Joseph Bushey IV, his mother, Shirley Ellen Ritchie and father, George Fordyce Ritchie, his sister, Carolyn Ellen Harrington Mackenzie, 3 brothers, Freddie Blish, Robbie Blish, and Matthew Blish, Biological father, Roger Blish, 3 stepchildren, Elizabeth D. Godin, Jennifer Godin Dohrn, and Rebecca L. Godin,

Predeceased by his father, Stuart Harrington and his beloved grandmother Della Ellen Brooks.

Rick was passionate about the EHE Foundation and supporting others with the disease. He maintained hope for finding a cure. Please donate in his name so research and support for this rare cancer can continue. https://fightehe.org/

Among his many passions was gardening. He planted a small orchard at his home. To keep his memory alive, plant a tree at your home in his honor.

Services will be held at the Rochester Elks Club, Rochester, NH on Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 11:30-3:30 with a service and military honors beginning at 12 with light food to follow. If anyone would like to bring a dish to share, please let us know.

Cremation care by Peaslee Funeral Home. To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com