Obituary of Garnard Kenneth Harrington
Garnard “Garnet” Kenneth Harrington, age 83, passed away on May 14, 2024, surrounded by love at Shannex in Kentville, Nova Scotia after a long struggle with dementia.
Garnet was born on August 10, 1940, in Hantsport, Nova Scotia to Blair and Dorris (Mitchener) Harrington. He was the last of his generation as he was predeceased by his parents, brother Don Harrington and sister Glenda Lockhart.
Garnet spent his early years in Hantsport where the fun and friendships of those times forged lifelong memories and shaped the man he would become.
As a young man, Garnet was a talented drummer in local bands and spent many summers entertaining crowds at the Digby Pines and other venues throughout the province. In addition to his musical talents, Garnet was an avid hockey player and proud owner of a convertible MGA. In his early 20s, Garnet and a group of close friends from Hantsport moved to Toronto where he earned his cosmetology license.
After a few years of life in the big city, Garnet returned to his roots in Nova Scotia, but often spoke fondly of his time in Toronto. In 1969, he took on a role he was made for and became a teacher at Kingstec (Kentville Community College). During his long career as a teacher, he touched many young lives. To this day, his family continues to hear of the positive impacts of “Mr. Harrington, my favourite teacher.” Garnet loved his time teaching at Kingstec and made many lifelong friendships with his fellow teachers. In more recent times, he had many, happy years in the Annapolis Valley and Cape Breton.
Another role he was made for, is that of Dad and Poppy. He modelled a joyful wonder of nature, from picking May flowers, growing vegetables and flowers, to creating the finest backyard oasis, complete with ponds and gazebos, that were the envy of every visitor. Whether he was fishing, picking mushrooms, being chased by the occasional angry farmer, burning kerosene-soaked cattails or catching fireflies, June bugs (gross) and bullfrogs, there was never a dull moment and every minute he spent outside was a minute well spent.
In later years, Garnet’s prodigious artistic skills found new outlets in wood carving and painting. Garnet spent countless hours creating paintings and carvings that became cherished gifts to family and close friends.
Garnet is survived by his loving wife Phyllis (MacMullin) who taught him so much about love. He lives on through his children Angie Harrington-Clemens (Mike), New Minas; Susan Harrington (Greg Trainor), New Glasgow; Paul Harrington (Essa), Thousand Oaks, California; Petrina (Peter) Benjamin, South Alton; Callista MacMullin (Brandey Targett), North Sydney; and daughter-in-law Heather MacMullin, Edmonton. He was predeceased by his son Trent MacMullin. “Poppy” will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Amanda Trainor, Elon Harrington, David and Rachel Benjamin (Nathan Carter), Katelyn and Natasha MacMullin, and Briana MacMullin. Sisters-in-law Marlene Conners, Joyce Davidson, and Mary Gatto (Ray); brothers-in-law Donnie Lockhart, Brian Long, and Ben Long (Rhea); along with other family, will also remember him warmly.
The service will take place at 2pm on Wednesday, May 22nd at the Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Drive, Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia at 2719 Gladstone Street, Suite 112. Halifax, NS. B3K 4W6 or online at https://alzheimer.ca/ns/en/donate
(check the 'Dedicate my gift' box for in memory or in honour of).
In the end, we all become stories, and Garnet left one with all he met. Anyone who leaves this world as loved as he is has done something right.
