Edward Joseph Harrington passed away peacefully Oct. 22, 2024, at Monmouth Medical Center after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving wife and two daughters.
Ed was born May 13, 1941, in Throggs Neck, New York, to Edward R. and Margaret (Woulfe) Harrington. He was the youngest of three children and he always spoke fondly of growing up in the Bronx. His father worked for the developing NY Railroad as an engineer while his mother, who came to the U.S. from County Kerry, Ireland, at the age of 17, was a nurse. His mother was a pioneer as one of the few “working moms” at the time.
When he was in the seventh grade, his father took a position with the St. Louis, Missouri, railroad and he spent four years in St. Louis. He often spoke about what a difficult transition it was coming from New York City to the Midwest. But one of his favorite stories was how he made the varsity football team in high school while in St. Louis and he was so proud to receive a varsity letter to wear on his high school jacket. His parents gave him the money for the jacket and he sewed the letter on himself.
His stint in St. Louis was short-lived as they moved back to Throggs Neck (to the same house on Logan Avenue) when he was in the 11th grade. He enrolled in Mount St. Michael Academy and he would often refer to it proudly as “the Harvard of High Schools.”
After graduating from high school, he began working at Morgan Guarantee and shortly after was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. As his “luck of the Irish” carried throughout his life, he never saw combat, remaining stateside for two years in Georgia as a chef (which is ironic because he never cooked anything after that). He later served in the supply department handing out sheets and towels to his fellow soldiers.
After he left the Army, he went back to his job at JP Morgan and continued bartending at The Neck Inn, a popular bar in the Bronx. It was at The Neck Inn that he met his wife, Aileen.
In 1969, he and Aileen were married and Ed began working at Allstate Insurance Co. selling insurance. His first assignment was in Manhattan, but he was quickly transferred to Staten Island where he continued to work until his retirement in 2000. There could not have been a more perfect job for anyone, as Ed loved nothing more than talking to people. He spent his days talking to his customers about their lives and those of their families while selling them life, auto or homeowners insurance. In 1987, Ed and Aileen moved to Lincroft and lived in Monmouth County until his death.
Ed was involved in charitable organizations throughout his life, like Handicapped Boy Scouts of America and the Kiwanis Club. His favorite place of all was his summer house at Cedar Grove Beach Club on Staten Island. Ed and Aileen moved into their first cottage in the summer of 1974 and remained members until New York City shut the club down in 2010. While a member, Ed was on the board of governors for many years and served as president for multiple terms. All the while, he would manage the “club bar” and make sure it was always “ready to go” at a moment’s notice. The other members of Cedar Grove were more like family for the almost 40 years he and Aileen spent at the club. This slice of heaven was a place with views of Coney Island, the Verrazano Bridge and Sandy Hook.
Ed loved a good party and he and Aileen made a dynamic duo for entertaining. Ed would spend days setting the table and Aileen would cook all the food – both to perfection. His signature cocktails were infamous, specifically the “EJ Special” (vodka, orange juice and cranberry juice). It reminded everyone of a gorgeous summer sky, when Ed was the happiest.
One can’t think of Ed without being reminded of his proud Irish heritage and love of music. From Broadway musicals, The Clancy Brothers, Neil Diamond, The Beatles and the Mamas and the Papas, music was always playing in his house or car.
In his memory, call a friend, listen to music, have a cocktail and toast a great friend who will be missed.
Ed was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Margaret (Woulfe) Harrington, his brother James and his son Edward who died tragically in 2001 at the age of 29.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Aileen; his daughters, Courtney Setteducate and her husband Andrew and Christine Gallaudet and her husband Thomas (TG); and six grandchildren, Alexa, Kate and Will Setteducate and Thomas, Jack and Ford Gallaudet.
Visitation was held Oct. 24 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 25 at Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. Burial followed the Mass at Fair View Cemetery, Red Bank.
The article originally appeared in the October 31 – November 6, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
