John Harrington

John F Harrington of San Francisco, California, has passed away peacefully on 12th August 2025, in the care of his loving family and surrounded by his dear friends.

John was born on December 13th 1947 in Cloughland, Bere Island, Co. Cork, Ireland, to his beloved parents, Bernie and Nan Harrington. John grew up in Bere Island, alongside his 3 brothers and 6 sisters, until the age of 16, when the family relocated to Cobh, Co. Cork and settled there.

John worked with the local bakery, O Reilly Bakery, Cobh, from 1963 – 1965 but resigned his position with them to take up the position of Catering Manager with Irish Engineering and Harbour Construction, at the construction of an Oil Terminal on Whiddy Island, Bantry. Choosing a change of career in 1972, John began studying with a view to gaining entry to An Garda Siochana, (The Irish Police Force) and in September 1973, graduated with first class honers from the Garda Training Institute in Tipperary, Ireland. John’s career within An Garda Siochana was varied and extremely fulfilling. His love of music saw him join the Garda Choir, with which he travelled all over the world.

In 1976 John became an inaugural member of the newly formed Garda Sub Aqua Unit ( the underwater diving section of the Police Force ) John has said in the past that this had been one of the most difficult yet rewarding part of his Garda career.The diving unit was assigned to water tragedies throughout Ireland, sometimes with favorable outcomes and sometimes with not so favourable outcomes. His duties as a Garda diver, once again led him back to Whiddy Island, when in tragic circumstances, an oil tanker “The Betelgeuse” which was discharging oil at the terminal, exploded, killing the ships crew members and the jetty crew members. The following 3 weeks had the Garda Diving Team tasked with the search and recovery of 29 missing bodied, some of whom were not recovered.

Whiddy Island had also engaged a Dutch diving company to assist with the search and recovery, Smit Tak, and during this time John became acquainted with the Smit Tak personal. Having been offered a position with the company, he resigned his position within An Garda Siochana and joined the Smit Tak organization, in 1980. John dived in many countries, worldwide while employed with Smit Tan but always delighted in coming home to family in Cobh and Bere Island, where celebrations were held on every return.

In 1984 John returned to Cobh to join the Celtic Sea Divers. For the following 3 years he worked alongside his good friend and colleague, Mick Whelan.

Another life changing decision in 1987 saw John leave Ireland for San Francisco. Leaving brokenhearted parents and family, we said goodbye to John. However, John forged a happy and successful life in San Francisco, and in time family realized this was the right decision for John. Then in 1998 John was granted American Citizenship, which was a very proud day for him.

We enjoyed many memorable visits to san Francisco, where John’s generosity knew no bounds. Here John met his partner and soulmate, David Friedmann. Dave soon became part of the Harrington family and how we enjoyed their visits to Cobh and Bere Island. They brought joy and laughter to our lives on every holiday. Then, very sadly, in July 2005, we lost David.

Life and work continued for John. His ambition had always been to set up and develop his own construction company and so he began studying to gain his Contractors License. This he achieved in 2004 and John then set up “Harrow Construction Corporation”

John’s name soon became known in the construction circle in San Francisco and his work was renowned for its heigh quality and precision. John was also renowned for his care and generosity to his employees, for which he gained their loyalty and respect.

John purchased his new home on Naples Street in 2007 and restored the house to the remarkable home it is today. It has always being warm and welcoming to family and friends alike. And many a great party has been held there.

John will be forever loved and greatly missed by his loving family, friends and employees.

John is predeceased by his partner David and his beloved parents Nan and Bernie.

He is survived by his brothers Jerry, Bernard and Jimmy and by his sisters Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, Margaret and Geraldine, sisters in law and brothers in law. He will be sadly missed by his 14 nephews and 15 nieces and his grandnieces and grandnephews. His dear and trusted cousin Nora and Tony Hall and family and his loyal employees Horacio Ortiz Suarez and Octavio Hernandez Caiva