Avis de décès de Allen-Norman Harrington - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

HARRINGTON, Allen NormanOn Saturday, early in the morning of November 8, 2014 Allen "Al" Harrington of Sherwood Park passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 91 years.Al will be lovingly remembered by his children, Linda, Sheila, Patricia, Kathryn, Michael, Daniel, James, and their spouses. Also left with fond memories are 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Rita, in 2000.Cremation has taken place and it was Al's wish that there be no service. Family will gather in the springtime for inurnment beside Rita, just as Al and Rita had planned.Al was orphaned at an early age and had less than an ideal childhood. He survived those early years by developing a substantial resistance to adversity. He doggedly refused to let life wear him down, was often heard to quote the phrase "illegitimi non carborundum", and lived in his own home on his own terms until only a month before he passed away. Al also developed a thorough knowledge and vocabulary of the English language. Many times the children were tutored as to proper grammar, or a letter to the editor was sent regarding word usage, spelling and grammar which had been used, incorrectly, in a newspaper or magazine article. He also had an opinion or 10 to offer, often eliciting an interesting round of debate which could be read in the letters to the editor column. Many found Al hard to describe as he was a bit of an anomaly. For example, on one hand he was a seeker and adventurer, and on the other hand a home - body committed to family. A collection of descriptor words given by Al's children hopefully will help in remembrance of who Al was. They are as follows; principled leader, caregiver, lifelong learner, cruciverbalist, perspicacious (intelligent, astute, well informed), brilliant, wise, witty, generous, prolific reader, gardener extraordinaire, precise, succinct; wordsmith, punmeister, defender, opinionated, amateur radio operator, and navy veteran.The family gratefully thanks the staff at the Misericordia Hospital (8 East) and The General Hospital – Mel Miller Hospice (9Y) for their professional, kind and compassionate care provided to our Dad. Dad was fortunate to live in a great neighborhood, and Al's family (as did Al) gratefully acknowledge all the help his neighbours provided on an ongoing basis. Al's physical strength was abating over the past 2 years, so his daughter Kate took time to complete the tasks needed to conserve his energy and to enable him to live as independently as possible in his own home. No amount of words can convey the gratitude her sisters and brothers feel for assisting Dad with that last bit of control in his life.In lieu of floral tributes, the family asks that a donation to the Christian Children's Fund be considered, as it was Al's favourite charity.To send condolences please visit www.glenwoodmemorial.com