LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of William F. Harrington,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, William "B.J." Harrington died on January 23, 2010, at the
age of 78; and
WHEREAS, William Harrington distinguished himself in his profession
and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, William Harrington's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, William Harrington joined Bleakley, Platt & Schmidt, LLP in
1959 where he practiced law for 51 years and served as its Chairman and
Managing Partner for 35 years; he was an accomplished attorney in trust
and estate litigation and oversaw the growth of Bleakley, Platt &
Schmidt into one of the premier law firms in the region; and
WHEREAS, William Harrington also served as Legislative Council to Lt.
Governor Malcolm Wilson between 1964 and 1973 and as Town Attorney for
the Town of Pound Ridge from 1980 to 1985 and Town Justice between 1985
and 1991; he received a degree in Accounting from Manhattan College in
1953 and his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1959;
and
WHEREAS, A devout and dedicated Roman Catholic, William Harrington
served his Church and the Archdiocese of New York throughout his life;
he was a Trustee of St. Joseph's Seminary and St. Patrick's Cathedral, a
member of the Cardinal's Committee of the Laity and the Archdiocese's
Inner City Scholarship Fund; he served as the Chairman of St. Agnes
Hospital in White Plains, New York and as Vice Chairman of St. Joseph's
Medical Center's Health Fund in Yonkers, New York; he was a proud member
of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Westchester County, serving as
the Chairman of the Society's Board of Stewards for over 25 years; and
WHEREAS, William Harrington also served on the Board of Directors of
his beloved Fordham Law School, where he was instrumental in the
creation of the Cardinal John O'Connor Chair for Theological Studies; he
was a founding member of the Board of Directors of both Pace Law School
and The Ave Maria School of Law; he also served as a member of the Board
of Directors of Sacred Heart High School, Iona Preparatory School and
the School of The Holy Child; and
WHEREAS, At the time of his death, William Harrington was the moving
force behind the construction of the new Elizabeth Seton Pediatric
Hospital in Yonkers, serving as the Hospital's Capital Campaign Chair-
man; and
WHEREAS, A Knight of Malta, William Harrington was also a Knight of
the Order of St. Gregory the Great, and humbly accepted various awards
throughout his life, including the St. Thomas Moore Award, The Fordham
Law School Medal of Achievement, the Charles Carroll Award from the
Catholic Guild of Lawyers, the Cardinal's Committee of Laity Award, the
Pro Eccelesia Et Pontifice Medal and the Humanitarian Award for Life;
and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, William Harrington is survived by
his wife, Audrey, his children, William, Brian, Peter, Mary Pat, and
Mary Beth, his grandchildren, Caitlyn, Meagan, Emily, Luke, William,
Caroline, Hanna, P.J., and Jill, and his two sisters, Mary and Jane; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, William Harrington leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of William F. Harrington, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of William F. Harrington.