Harry Richard Errington
October 15, 1930 ~ March 4, 2022
Harry Richard Errington, 91, of California, MD, passed away on March 4, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 15, 1930 in Skipback, PA, he was the son of the late Anna Leamy Errington and Robert W. Errington. Harry was the loving husband of Gwendolyn Charlotte Errington, whom he married in Litchfield Park, AZ. Harry is survived by his children Douglas Craig Errington of Naples, FL, Jeffrey Lane Errington of Leonardtown, MD, Robyn Lynn Strayer of Leonardtown, MD, his brother Arthur Errington of Bonita Springs, FL, and 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Harry graduated from Schwenksville High School in 1948. He served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1974, retiring after 23 years in 1974. While serving in the United States Navy, he was in the Vietnam War, Korean War, and earned the Bronze Star with combat V, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Meal (third), Occupation Service Medal (Europe), National Defense Service Medal (2nd), Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Elks. He moved to St. Mary’s County, MD in 1966, and worked for the United States Navy as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer, retiring in 1974.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM in Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, MD with Pastor Matt Pooley officiating. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM in Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA. Serving as pallbearers will be Lane Errington, Grant Errington, Adam Errington, Zack Errington, Charlie Cates, and Chris Calhoun. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Widmer, James Moss, and David Rosser.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A. Leonardtown, MD.
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Our sincere condolences to the Errington family. He was the perfect definition of “gentleman”. He gave so much of himself to our country, the Navy, and everyone he came in contact with. I always looked forward to his smile whenever I ran into him. May he rest in eternal peace.
Dago and Frannie Bostich
Gwen, Jeff, Doug and Robin,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you for the loss of Harry. He was a delight to know and we have fond memories of all he did for the Elks Lodge.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sue & Mike McLuckie
Prayers for comfort in the hearts of all who loved “Pop”. Through the years, his gracious and warm ways always made me glad to see him. Pop was a loyal supporter of youth sports, encouraging our boys at every sports event. May warm memories of loving times spent together comfort your hurting hearts.
My sincere condolences to the entire family. Harry was both a friend and a trusted advisor to me and to many others. I first met Harry in the 1980s while serving on active duty. He shared his wealth of knowledge about aircraft maintenance freely and with great insight. His amiable smile and and warmth were always welcome. In recent years, Harry assisted in many events and activities at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and he was the first recipient of an award presented to long term volunteers and contributors to the museum. He was a wonderful gentleman and shining example who will be sorely missed. May he rest in eternal peace.
We are saddened to hear of Harry’s passing around the flight line at NAS Jacksonville, FL. His name was mentioned just last week at a conference I was attending. I first met Harry when I attended a Southern Maryland Mustang Association meeting at the Cracker Barrel. While his external image revealed an aged and seasoned man, his heart was that of a young man full of life. He remained a passionate Shipmate, long after he hung up his uniform for the last time. During my tour at Pax River, Harry never missed a meeting or event, and was active in the conversations to advocate keeping our Mustang Association relevant and focused with purpose. A testament to Harry’s lasting impression on every Shipmate he came in contact with is the conversations and reflections being had today around the fleet as we all are saddened of his passing. Harry is the definition of a SHIPMATE. Fare winds Shipmate, those you mentored and encouraged for so many years has the watch.
CAPT Al Palmer, US Navy
Highly respected and admired retired officer, Mustang mentor, and friend to so many in SOMD. Harry was a special soul that had only the best intent for all he met.
Very Respectfully,
Grady Duffey
Captain, USN
To the Errington Family, Sorry for Your loss. Prayers for your Family
Our Hearts are Saddened by Harry’s passing and we extend Deepest Sympathy and Condolences to Entire Errington Family.
For those passing by those Aircraft parked at Patuxent Air Museum Flight Line; we have Harry to thank for his “All In Mustang Attitude”! His charisma, vision and team player approach through years since 1991 were instrumental in fostering an aircraft maintenance program for all of us to be proud of.
John and Cookie Kennedy
Only once or twice in a lifetime do you meet a truly remarkable & great man, Harry was one of these.A superb guy with an equally wonderful family &a pleasure to have known& have been friends with all Erringtons. Our sincerest condolences to Gwen Doug Jeff& Robyn at this time, theRobRoberts family
We didn’t know Harry for a long time, but we felt we knew him as a very kind man, very nice and very lovely to be around. We attended the same church and enjoyed their company on very occasions. We have never heard a negative word about him and knowing him, we are not surprised at that. We send our admiration and love to his entire family and pray they will be comforted at this sad time. We certainly thank him for his service to our country. We need so many more just like him.
Les and Shirley Schnake
Mrs. Errington, Doug, Jeff and Robyn,
So sorry to just learn this weekend about your loss. What a great man to his family and this community. As someone already posted, we will not be able to pass the Navy Museum without remembering his countless hours of dedicated service there – all for the great benefit of our community. He will be sorely missed by all – as a great husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor.