Established to support a wide variety of charitable programs and projects.
To provide scholarships/bursaries for students pursuing post-secondary education, to assist organizations that foster sportsmanship in amateur sports; preserve historical records, or encourage participation in musical traditions and to assist organizations that work to improve quality of life.
A Community Legacy – Paul & Agnes Harrington
This named fund was created in memory of Paul and Agnes Harrington. Their example of service to their communities is an inspiration to family and friends throughout Canada.
Paul Harrington was born in Vancouver in 1915 to Charlie & Anne Harrington, both descendants of Irish families that immigrated to Canada in the 1840’s and 1900’s. Paul grew up in Vancouver, Duncan & Boston Bar when the family opened a hotel in 1927. He was an excellent athlete, competing in track and baseball. While he was an aggressive competitor, his strength was his ability to focus on the sportsmanship and enduring friendships that sports offer.
Agnes was born in Scandinavia, Manitoba in 1913 to Karl and Minnie Oberg, both immigrants from Sweden in the early 1900’s. Her mother died when Agnes was seven and she was raised by various relatives near Erickson and Minnedosa. She put herself through high school working for room and board after school and on weekends. With the great depression on, she lacked the money to attend teacher college and she elected to go to Calgary to work as a nanny. She moved to Nelson then North Bend with her employer.
It was at a dance in North Bend in 1936 that the couple first met. Paul was a natural musician and entertainer who was in the band that evening. After a short courtship, the couple were married in June, 1937. After the honeymoon they moved to Coalmont, and then Boston Bar in 1939. In 1942 Paul joined the navy and after 2 years of North Atlantic convoy duty he joined the Navy Show in 1944 and provided entertainment and enjoyment to both civilian and service personnel in the Meritimes and the North East United States.
After the war, Agnes and Paul settled into raising a family and involving themselves in the community of Boston Bar. They were involved in many events & community groups including The Ambulance Society, musical entertainment, coaching and refereeing sports events, the Lions Club, Catholic Women’s League, and many other groups to assist and improve life in Boston Bar. In all these activities they were exceptional in their commitment to service for their community.
With a move to North Vancouver in 1958, both again became active in various organizations. They were named Catholic Youth Organization Family of the Year in 1962 for their input, assistance and understanding of the youth in their community. Agnes and Paul were also involved in other community groups in North Van including the Canadian Legion, Kiwanis, Catholic Women’s League, and community entertainment.
Paul passed away in 1974, content after entertaining at the Kiwanis Senior Citizen home the previous evening. His spontaneous laughter and commitment to helping others will never be forgotten.
Agnes moved to Langley in 1976 and continued to be active in the volunteer community. She joined the Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Women’s League, and Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Harrington always had time to assist any organization that worked for its community. She worked for the Shaunessessy Hospital gift shop for several years, driving the many miles to Vancouver to help the veterans with their needs. When she passed away in 1988 she was still active in knitting and making handiwork for the Hospital, CWL, and the Legion bazaars.
Paul and Agnes Harrington represented the highest ideals of community involvement. They believed that community work was not for what glory one would receive, but rather for the good of the community. Their ability to help people was in all phases of volunteer work. Their assistance to sports, music, entertainment, charity, and groups to assist the community was a fundamental part of their lives. This named fund in their memory will support individuals and groups that continue to enshrine Paul & Agnes’ ideals of community involvement.