E. Scott Harrington

E. Scott Harrington

December 28, 1962 - February 14, 2025

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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



Events

05
Celebration of Life
Sat Apr 5, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM CDT
Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. - Hilldale • 357 Price Place, Madison, WI 53705
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Memories

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SH
Susan Hansen
Other •
In memory of the Man with the Plaid Skis and countless trees witnessing the runs Scott carved with such joy; heres one more
DB
Dave Benforado
Other •
Scott was a wonderful person. He provided wise urban planning counsel and advice to the Village of Shorewood Hills over the last few decades. Nothing rattled him; he patiently helped the Village navigate through some tough and financially challenging issues. He will be missed. Sending peace and light to his family and colleagues at Vandewalle. Dave Benforado, President, Village of Shorewood Hills WI (2017-2023)
LP
Luke Pauling
Other •
Every time I was with Scott, I was met with a warm and welcoming demeanor that was immediately disarming, making it easy to bond over shared interests in indie bands (introduced to me by his son Ben) and Gopher sports. Whenever Ben let me know Scott was joining us to hang for the day, I was excited to be with another Harrington. Scott made the good times even better, and I'm fortunate enough to be one of the many lives blessed to cross paths with him and the entire Harrington family
BM
Brett Maxon
Other •
We are so sad to lose Scott so soon as our relationship was just beginning to prosper. Our daughter Saarah and son-in-law Ben married just last summer. The times we spent were always fun and full of intellectual conversation. Our conversations seem to span the world. In preparation for Saarah and Ben’s wedding we had so much fun and full of laughs putting up the tent and preparing venue. When the Goldies (Ben’s friends) arrived Scott jumped right in and was part of the gang. It was so fun to watch. We miss you Scott and are so grateful we’re able to call you a friend and proud Saarah joined your family.
KB
Kimberly Bullen
Other •
We had the opportunity to work with Scott and his team on a great project to secure the City of Rifle as the home of the Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting. He did amazing work and it was an absolute pleasure to work with him. I was saddened to hear the news and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
TB
Tricia Kuse Baker
Other •
I worked with Scott while I was a contractor at Vandewalle and we stayed in contact in the years after. This last December (2024) I asked Scott to help my son, who was seeking a role at a company that Vandewalle works with. It was a classic parent-to-parent request and Scott, without hesitation, leaned in to help. That was my most recent memory, but mostly I recall his wit, gentleness, and kindness. I am so sorry for this immense loss for us all.

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