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E. Scott Harrington Obituary

Brought to you by Gunderson Funeral Home

E. Scott Harrington

Madison, Wisconsin

December 28, 1962 - February 14, 2025

E. Scott Harrington Obituary

E. Scott Harrington, 62, passed away at home on February 14, 2025, less than two months after learning he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He was an amazing husband for 31 years to Diane; father to Jack and Ben; brother to Terry, John, Doug and Sarah; and uncle to all their children; as well as a memorable neighbor, colleague and friend.


Scott had been a principal planner at Vandewalle & Associates in Madison, Wis., for more than 20 years. Previously he worked as a development director and assistant city manager for Moline, Ill.; community development director for Grand Junction, Colo.; and town manager for Gulf Stream, Fla.


He is preceded in death by his father, John Andrew Harrington; his mother, Gwen Sugg Harrington; and his sister, Mary Harrington.


Scott was a loyal, enjoyable and authentic human being, and he would want his family and friends to dedicate a part of ourselves to the spirit and soul in which he lived his life.


Remember and honor him by the joy and love he brought to this Earth.

Work hard on the things you are passionate about.

Show up for your community.

Have the extra glass of wine with dinner.

Take one more run down the mountain.

Linger in the hot water before starting (or after finishing) your day.

Listen to that one song loud enough for someone to tell you to turn it down.

Laugh hard at a joke.

Love those closest to you too deeply to describe in words.


Although these acts of remembrance will never replace the man who gave us all so much, we can be his forever witnesses of a good, graceful and loving life.


Scott didn’t want a funeral but a celebration of life. The man loved a good party, so please try to join us for a celebration of life at the GREAT DANE PUB & BREWING COMPANY - HILLDALE, 357 Price Place, Madison, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025.



If you want to offer more than just living the kind of life Scott would want for you, please consider donations to some of Scott’s favorites: Any Humane Society, The Mile of Music, The Current, The Empty Stocking Club, or First Unitarian Society.

 

For more links and details about the charities/organizations and information on the Celebration of life, see our CaringBridge website at:


https://www.caringbridge.org/site/c52a60b7-d5ee-11ef-b09f-2ffb31b21db3?utm_source=website_share&utm_medium=share_button&utm_term=&utm_content=link_share_button&utm_campaign=private_home_page


Celebration for Scott with music, munchies, drinks and remembrances

Saturday, April 5,

Great Dane Pub at Hilldale (Madison, Wis.)

Dress casually and drop in when convenient between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Please reply to DianeBH@gmail.com with a “yes” or “maybe”

and let us know your connection to Scott (work, college/childhood friend, neighbor, etc.)

No need to respond if you can’t make it, but we will miss you!


We want to play music Scott loved or will appreciate. Please share below (or email Diane)

a song/artist that reminds you of Scott, along with a short memory it invokes.

We’ll read some of them aloud at the event or ask you to share them.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420



E. Scott Harrington, 62, passed away at home on February 14, 2025, less than two months after learning he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He was an amazing husband for 31 years to Diane; father to Jack and Ben; brother to Terry, John, Doug and Sarah; and uncle to all their children; as well as a memorable neighbor, colleague and friend.


Scott had been a principal planner at Vandewalle & Associates in Madison, Wis., for more than 20 years. Previously he worked as a development director and assistant city manager for Moline, Ill.; community development director for Grand Junction, Colo.; and town manager for Gulf Stream, Fla.


He is preceded in death by his father, John Andrew Harrington; his mother, Gwen Sugg Harrington; and his sister, Mary Harrington.


Scott was a loyal, enjoyable and authentic human being, and he would want his family and friends to dedicate a part of ourselves to the spirit and soul in which he lived his life.


Remember and honor him by the joy and love he brought to this Earth.

Work hard on the things you are passionate about.

Show up for your community.

Have the extra glass of wine with dinner.

Take one more run down the mountain.

Linger in the hot water before starting (or after finishing) your day.

Listen to that one song loud enough for someone to tell you to turn it down.

Laugh hard at a joke.

Love those closest to you too deeply to describe in words.


Although these acts of remembrance will never replace the man who gave us all so much, we can be his forever witnesses of a good, graceful and loving life.


Scott didn’t want a funeral but a celebration of life. The man loved a good party, so please try to join us for a celebration of life at the GREAT DANE PUB & BREWING COMPANY - HILLDALE, 357 Price Place, Madison, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025.



If you want to offer more than just living the kind of life Scott would want for you, please consider donations to some of Scott’s favorites: Any Humane Society, The Mile of Music, The Current, The Empty Stocking Club, or First Unitarian Society.

 

For more links and details about the charities/organizations and information on the Celebration of life, see our CaringBridge website at:


https://www.caringbridge.org/site/c52a60b7-d5ee-11ef-b09f-2ffb31b21db3?utm_source=website_share&utm_medium=share_button&utm_term=&utm_content=link_share_button&utm_campaign=private_home_page


Celebration for Scott with music, munchies, drinks and remembrances

Saturday, April 5,

Great Dane Pub at Hilldale (Madison, Wis.)

Dress casually and drop in when convenient between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Please reply to DianeBH@gmail.com with a “yes” or “maybe”

and let us know your connection to Scott (work, college/childhood friend, neighbor, etc.)

No need to respond if you can’t make it, but we will miss you!


We want to play music Scott loved or will appreciate. Please share below (or email Diane)

a song/artist that reminds you of Scott, along with a short memory it invokes.

We’ll read some of them aloud at the event or ask you to share them.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420



Events

Celebration of Life

Saturday, April 5, 2025

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. - Hilldale

357 Price Place Madison, WI 53705