Joseph Julian "Monk" Harrington

Published in The News & Observer on 9/11/2008

Joseph Julian "Monk" Harrington, 89, of the 200 block of East Church Street, died Wednesday, September 10, 2008, in his home.
Mr. Harrington was born February 18, 1919, in Lewiston Woodville, Bertie County, NC, a son of the late Julian Picott Harrington and Ethel Barnes Harrington.

A lifelong resident of Lewiston- Woodville, Monk was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday school superintendent. He was a charter member of the Lewiston Fire Department, and a member of the Lewiston Masonic Lodge and Newbern NC Shrine Lodge.

Monk was an army veteran during the WWII era. After the war, he played professional minor league baseball in Lynchburg, VA, where he was selected Best Utility Player of the Year. Returning home in 1947, he went to work with his father at Harrington Mfg. Co. There, along with Charles Griffin, he pioneered tobacco harvesting and curing methods manufactured under the "Roanoke" brand name, still used today.

In 1963, Mr. Harrington was elected to the North Carolina Senate representing District #1. He remained in the senate for 28 consecutive years, serving the last four as Senate Pro Tempore.

Monk enjoyed politics and building farm equipment and later in life, telling everyone about it. He also loved to ride down to his farm and Harrington Clubhouse where he would tell his grandchildren all about politics and politicians. He was blessed with good health and a devoted family and remained active until recently.

J.J. is survived by his wife, Dianne P. Harrington of the home; his daughter, Victoria "Vicki" Harrington of Greenville, NC; sons, Robert E. "Bob" Harrington of Greenville, NC and Julian P. "Pike" Harrington and wife, Beverly of Ahoskie; stepchildren, Stephanie B. Jacob and husband, Robert of Roxobel, NC, Joseph B. "Brad" Britton of Roxobel.

He is also survived by two sisters, Jean Norfleet of Roxobel, Ann Cullifer of Leland, NC; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Lettie Early Harrington.

A celebration of life service will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2008 at First Baptist Church of Lewiston Woodville with burial to follow in Hoggard Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Garrett Funeral Home-Ashley Chapel, 205 NC Highway 42, West, Ahoskie, from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, and other times at the home.

Memorial donations may be made to Lewiston Woodville Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, P.O. Box 340, Lewiston Woodville, NC, 27849, or to University Health Systems Hospice Care, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC, 27910.