Rev. Mark Harrington

Father Mark E. Harrington, 70, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 while under the care of hospice. Mark E. Harington, son of Robert “Digger” and Doloras Harrington, was born on December 11, 1950 in Spencer, Iowa. Father Mark attended Heart Grade School in Spencer and then went on to graduate from Precious Blood Seminary in 1969. He received his undergraduate degree in Communications from Northwest Missouri State in 1972. He then served in the United States Army as a legal clerk at Fort Sam in Texas. Once honorably discharged from the military, he attended St. Paul Seminary where he received his Masters degree in Theology. On May 26, 1979, in Spencer, Iowa, he was ordained as a Catholic priest to the Diocese of Sioux City. Father Mark served as a priest within the Diocese of Sioux City from 1979 to 2001. While serving in several Iowa communities, he developed friendships that would last a lifetime. He was passionate and committed about building the education systems within the Catholic Diocese. In the summer of 2001, Father Mark transferred to the Diocese of Phoenix where he served at several parishes, most recently assisting at St. Patrick’s in Scottsdale. His love outside of the priestly ministry, were his family, music, reading, radio broadcasting, cinema and of course the Atlanta Braves. Father Mark always found the good in anybody he came across. People in his journey of life, met a man that was truly non-judgmental and a true symbol of God’s love. Father Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Doloras Harrington, sister Mary Jo Cuttell and brother Timothy Harrington. Left to cherish his memory include, brother John (Charlene) Harrington, brother in law Jack Cuttell, sister in law Jennifer Harrington Price and her 2 daughters Meghan (Robert) Row and Bianca Fisk, niece Katie (Scott) Eager and nephews Judd and Andrew Harrington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Valley, Sherman House 5801 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85054 or to the family at 12222 North Paradise Village Pkwy South, #104A, Phoenix, AZ 85032. Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM Friday July 16th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 10815 N 84th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 15th, 2021 with family presence from 4-6 at Menke Funeral Home Sun City, AZ. Private burial will be held Saturday, July 17th at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery.