From Rep. Frank R. Wolf:
Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of the House the passing of W. Harrington Smith, Jr. A longtime public servant, Mr. Smith spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Smith during this time as he represented the Shawnee district.It was an honor to have known Harrington Smith, who worked hard and impacted many lives during his service in Frederick County, Virginia. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues as they mourn the loss of this great man. I would also like to share a recent article from The Winchester Star which commemorates his life and work.One of Frederick County's ``old buddies'' died on Monday afternoon, leaving a trail of jokes, doting friends, and ``Bone-a-lopes'' behind him. W. Harrington Smith Jr.. 78, who spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, died in Winchester Medical Center two weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. Smith served on the board from 1988 until his death, representing the Shawnee District. He was known for his ``Bone-a-lopes''--trips around the area to talk with the people he represented. He went to find their problems, and to fix them, and to make people feel comfortable with a grin, a pat on the back, and a ``hey, old buddy, hey old friend'' for a greeting, To hear his friends and family tell it, Smith was a friendly, outgoing man who never ran out of time for the people who voted him into office. ``If somebody needed help with a traffic light or a pothole or barking dogs, he would go out and visit them,'' his son, Harry Smith, said on Monday afternoon. ``He would be able to get things done for people.'' Harry said his father died ``just peacefully, and calmly, and in his own way.'' With a nostalgic laugh, he told of his father's intricate jokes: ``They are so long and complex that I--unfortunately, one of the things I had intended to do and never was able to do was to memorize those jokes. And I wish that I had.'' In addition to a list of complex jokes only Harrington could remember, the veteran supervisor left a family that included his wife, Barbara Armistead Smith; sons Harry and Michael Smith and Drury Armistead; daughter Beth; and nine grandchildren ranging in age from 5 to 23. ``He had a phenomenal memory for jokes,'' Dick Kern, an old friend and Harrington's former employer, said on Monday. ``His favorite saying was `God love you.' And he said that all the time.'' Kern stifled a chuckle before describing a man fond of parties and a good time. ``He loved a good rum drink,'' Kern said. ``He enjoyed drinking and relaxing and I did, too. So we were great partners.'' Party animal or not, Harrington ``Smitty'' Smith took care of his constituents, Kern said. ``If anybody called him on a road or a fence or any kind of problem, he made it a point to go out and check it himself and take care of the problem,'' said Kern, a former Winchester City Council member. ``And I guess that was another thing I liked about him . . . he was honest and you could rely on him, and you knew he would be there. ``He was a heck of a guy.'' Harrington's wife, Barbara, said her husband would do just about anything for just about anybody. In fact, that's how they met. ``Harrington was part of a 1ocal rescue squad bringing a psychiatric patient to the old Cork Street hospital emergency room,'' she said. ``And the patient jumped out the back towards these two women and Harrington tackled him, and the guy wound around and kicked him in the neck.'' Barbara had just come to the hospital as a physical therapist. Harrington became her patient. ``Yeah, I cured him, so he married me,'' she said with a laugh. ``At the time, he was just so outstandingly good- looking. And everybody liked him because he was such a good listener and he really, really, really loved people. He really did.'' Harry, who served on the Winchester City Council, said he always was amazed at how long his father stayed in public service. ``I wonder what impact he might have had if he had started in elected office, say in his 30s or 40s instead of his 60s,'' he said. ``I think it was always centered around and based around his love of this community.'' Harrington Smith the supervisor had a persona most people couldn't figure out. During his time in office, he switched from Republican to Democrat before becoming an independent. ``I was always surprised by his votes,'' former Supervisor Sidney ``Sid'' Reyes said. ``I never knew which way he was going to come.'' ``But he was a gentleman. The ultimate gentleman, I don't think Harrington Smith had an enemy or anyone who spoke ill of him.'' The man the public didn't get to see was a little less of an enigma, Harry said. ``If he wasn't out helping constituents, he was probably watching television, sitting on a couch, eating a grilled- cheese sandwich, with his feet propped up, his arm propped up on a pillow, and the cat in his lap,'' Harry said. ``He was a channel flicker. Anywhere from a sports to movies to the History Channel. And it had to be turned up very loud.'' Like the volume on him TV set, whenever Harrington had an idea, he put it out with force--especially when it came to state government controlling local decisions. ``You could always count on Harrington with a speech any time the subject came up,'' Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard C. Shickle said. ``He just stated his opinion and didn't pull any punches. . . . You didn't have any trouble understanding Harrington or his positions. He was just blunt.'' Frederick County Commonwealth's Attorney Lawrence R. Ambrogi called Harrington Smith ``outgoing,'' ``personable,'' and ``unique.'' ``He was one-of-a-kind, Ambrogi said. ``He was 78, he probably put in 200 years of life in that time.'' ``He sang the national anthem at different political functions, he was an announcer at the (stock car) racetrack. ``It's just sad because he'll never be replaced.'' Still, Shawnee residents can't go without representation on the Board of Supervisors. Ambrogi said the board has 45 days to appoint Harrington's replacement because the next election is less than 120 days away. Shickle and Ambrogi said the county needs time to grieve before worrying about that, though. ``I lost a friend,'' Shickle said. ``And I think we'll mourn first.''
Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of the House the passing of W. Harrington Smith, Jr. A longtime public servant, Mr. Smith spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Smith during this time as he represented the Shawnee district.It was an honor to have known Harrington Smith, who worked hard and impacted many lives during his service in Frederick County, Virginia. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues as they mourn the loss of this great man. I would also like to share a recent article from The Winchester Star which commemorates his life and work.One of Frederick County's ``old buddies'' died on Monday afternoon, leaving a trail of jokes, doting friends, and ``Bone-a-lopes'' behind him. W. Harrington Smith Jr.. 78, who spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, died in Winchester Medical Center two weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. Smith served on the board from 1988 until his death, representing the Shawnee District. He was known for his ``Bone-a-lopes''--trips around the area to talk with the people he represented. He went to find their problems, and to fix them, and to make people feel comfortable with a grin, a pat on the back, and a ``hey, old buddy, hey old friend'' for a greeting, To hear his friends and family tell it, Smith was a friendly, outgoing man who never ran out of time for the people who voted him into office. ``If somebody needed help with a traffic light or a pothole or barking dogs, he would go out and visit them,'' his son, Harry Smith, said on Monday afternoon. ``He would be able to get things done for people.'' Harry said his father died ``just peacefully, and calmly, and in his own way.'' With a nostalgic laugh, he told of his father's intricate jokes: ``They are so long and complex that I--unfortunately, one of the things I had intended to do and never was able to do was to memorize those jokes. And I wish that I had.'' In addition to a list of complex jokes only Harrington could remember, the veteran supervisor left a family that included his wife, Barbara Armistead Smith; sons Harry and Michael Smith and Drury Armistead; daughter Beth; and nine grandchildren ranging in age from 5 to 23. ``He had a phenomenal memory for jokes,'' Dick Kern, an old friend and Harrington's former employer, said on Monday. ``His favorite saying was `God love you.' And he said that all the time.'' Kern stifled a chuckle before describing a man fond of parties and a good time. ``He loved a good rum drink,'' Kern said. ``He enjoyed drinking and relaxing and I did, too. So we were great partners.'' Party animal or not, Harrington ``Smitty'' Smith took care of his constituents, Kern said. ``If anybody called him on a road or a fence or any kind of problem, he made it a point to go out and check it himself and take care of the problem,'' said Kern, a former Winchester City Council member. ``And I guess that was another thing I liked about him . . . he was honest and you could rely on him, and you knew he would be there. ``He was a heck of a guy.'' Harrington's wife, Barbara, said her husband would do just about anything for just about anybody. In fact, that's how they met. ``Harrington was part of a 1ocal rescue squad bringing a psychiatric patient to the old Cork Street hospital emergency room,'' she said. ``And the patient jumped out the back towards these two women and Harrington tackled him, and the guy wound around and kicked him in the neck.'' Barbara had just come to the hospital as a physical therapist. Harrington became her patient. ``Yeah, I cured him, so he married me,'' she said with a laugh. ``At the time, he was just so outstandingly good- looking. And everybody liked him because he was such a good listener and he really, really, really loved people. He really did.'' Harry, who served on the Winchester City Council, said he always was amazed at how long his father stayed in public service. ``I wonder what impact he might have had if he had started in elected office, say in his 30s or 40s instead of his 60s,'' he said. ``I think it was always centered around and based around his love of this community.'' Harrington Smith the supervisor had a persona most people couldn't figure out. During his time in office, he switched from Republican to Democrat before becoming an independent. ``I was always surprised by his votes,'' former Supervisor Sidney ``Sid'' Reyes said. ``I never knew which way he was going to come.'' ``But he was a gentleman. The ultimate gentleman, I don't think Harrington Smith had an enemy or anyone who spoke ill of him.'' The man the public didn't get to see was a little less of an enigma, Harry said. ``If he wasn't out helping constituents, he was probably watching television, sitting on a couch, eating a grilled- cheese sandwich, with his feet propped up, his arm propped up on a pillow, and the cat in his lap,'' Harry said. ``He was a channel flicker. Anywhere from a sports to movies to the History Channel. And it had to be turned up very loud.'' Like the volume on him TV set, whenever Harrington had an idea, he put it out with force--especially when it came to state government controlling local decisions. ``You could always count on Harrington with a speech any time the subject came up,'' Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard C. Shickle said. ``He just stated his opinion and didn't pull any punches. . . . You didn't have any trouble understanding Harrington or his positions. He was just blunt.'' Frederick County Commonwealth's Attorney Lawrence R. Ambrogi called Harrington Smith ``outgoing,'' ``personable,'' and ``unique.'' ``He was one-of-a-kind, Ambrogi said. ``He was 78, he probably put in 200 years of life in that time.'' ``He sang the national anthem at different political functions, he was an announcer at the (stock car) racetrack. ``It's just sad because he'll never be replaced.'' Still, Shawnee residents can't go without representation on the Board of Supervisors. Ambrogi said the board has 45 days to appoint Harrington's replacement because the next election is less than 120 days away. Shickle and Ambrogi said the county needs time to grieve before worrying about that, though. ``I lost a friend,'' Shickle said. ``And I think we'll mourn first.''
From Rep. Frank R. Wolf:
Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of the House the passing of W. Harrington Smith, Jr. A longtime public servant, Mr. Smith spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Smith during this time as he represented the Shawnee district.It was an honor to have known Harrington Smith, who worked hard and impacted many lives during his service in Frederick County, Virginia. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues as they mourn the loss of this great man. I would also like to share a recent article from The Winchester Star which commemorates his life and work.One of Frederick County's ``old buddies'' died on Monday afternoon, leaving a trail of jokes, doting friends, and ``Bone-a-lopes'' behind him. W. Harrington Smith Jr.. 78, who spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, died in Winchester Medical Center two weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. Smith served on the board from 1988 until his death, representing the Shawnee District. He was known for his ``Bone-a-lopes''--trips around the area to talk with the people he represented. He went to find their problems, and to fix them, and to make people feel comfortable with a grin, a pat on the back, and a ``hey, old buddy, hey old friend'' for a greeting, To hear his friends and family tell it, Smith was a friendly, outgoing man who never ran out of time for the people who voted him into office. ``If somebody needed help with a traffic light or a pothole or barking dogs, he would go out and visit them,'' his son, Harry Smith, said on Monday afternoon. ``He would be able to get things done for people.'' Harry said his father died ``just peacefully, and calmly, and in his own way.'' With a nostalgic laugh, he told of his father's intricate jokes: ``They are so long and complex that I--unfortunately, one of the things I had intended to do and never was able to do was to memorize those jokes. And I wish that I had.'' In addition to a list of complex jokes only Harrington could remember, the veteran supervisor left a family that included his wife, Barbara Armistead Smith; sons Harry and Michael Smith and Drury Armistead; daughter Beth; and nine grandchildren ranging in age from 5 to 23. ``He had a phenomenal memory for jokes,'' Dick Kern, an old friend and Harrington's former employer, said on Monday. ``His favorite saying was `God love you.' And he said that all the time.'' Kern stifled a chuckle before describing a man fond of parties and a good time. ``He loved a good rum drink,'' Kern said. ``He enjoyed drinking and relaxing and I did, too. So we were great partners.'' Party animal or not, Harrington ``Smitty'' Smith took care of his constituents, Kern said. ``If anybody called him on a road or a fence or any kind of problem, he made it a point to go out and check it himself and take care of the problem,'' said Kern, a former Winchester City Council member. ``And I guess that was another thing I liked about him . . . he was honest and you could rely on him, and you knew he would be there. ``He was a heck of a guy.'' Harrington's wife, Barbara, said her husband would do just about anything for just about anybody. In fact, that's how they met. ``Harrington was part of a 1ocal rescue squad bringing a psychiatric patient to the old Cork Street hospital emergency room,'' she said. ``And the patient jumped out the back towards these two women and Harrington tackled him, and the guy wound around and kicked him in the neck.'' Barbara had just come to the hospital as a physical therapist. Harrington became her patient. ``Yeah, I cured him, so he married me,'' she said with a laugh. ``At the time, he was just so outstandingly good- looking. And everybody liked him because he was such a good listener and he really, really, really loved people. He really did.'' Harry, who served on the Winchester City Council, said he always was amazed at how long his father stayed in public service. ``I wonder what impact he might have had if he had started in elected office, say in his 30s or 40s instead of his 60s,'' he said. ``I think it was always centered around and based around his love of this community.'' Harrington Smith the supervisor had a persona most people couldn't figure out. During his time in office, he switched from Republican to Democrat before becoming an independent. ``I was always surprised by his votes,'' former Supervisor Sidney ``Sid'' Reyes said. ``I never knew which way he was going to come.'' ``But he was a gentleman. The ultimate gentleman, I don't think Harrington Smith had an enemy or anyone who spoke ill of him.'' The man the public didn't get to see was a little less of an enigma, Harry said. ``If he wasn't out helping constituents, he was probably watching television, sitting on a couch, eating a grilled- cheese sandwich, with his feet propped up, his arm propped up on a pillow, and the cat in his lap,'' Harry said. ``He was a channel flicker. Anywhere from a sports to movies to the History Channel. And it had to be turned up very loud.'' Like the volume on him TV set, whenever Harrington had an idea, he put it out with force--especially when it came to state government controlling local decisions. ``You could always count on Harrington with a speech any time the subject came up,'' Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard C. Shickle said. ``He just stated his opinion and didn't pull any punches. . . . You didn't have any trouble understanding Harrington or his positions. He was just blunt.'' Frederick County Commonwealth's Attorney Lawrence R. Ambrogi called Harrington Smith ``outgoing,'' ``personable,'' and ``unique.'' ``He was one-of-a-kind, Ambrogi said. ``He was 78, he probably put in 200 years of life in that time.'' ``He sang the national anthem at different political functions, he was an announcer at the (stock car) racetrack. ``It's just sad because he'll never be replaced.'' Still, Shawnee residents can't go without representation on the Board of Supervisors. Ambrogi said the board has 45 days to appoint Harrington's replacement because the next election is less than 120 days away. Shickle and Ambrogi said the county needs time to grieve before worrying about that, though. ``I lost a friend,'' Shickle said. ``And I think we'll mourn first.''
Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of the House the passing of W. Harrington Smith, Jr. A longtime public servant, Mr. Smith spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Smith during this time as he represented the Shawnee district.It was an honor to have known Harrington Smith, who worked hard and impacted many lives during his service in Frederick County, Virginia. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues as they mourn the loss of this great man. I would also like to share a recent article from The Winchester Star which commemorates his life and work.One of Frederick County's ``old buddies'' died on Monday afternoon, leaving a trail of jokes, doting friends, and ``Bone-a-lopes'' behind him. W. Harrington Smith Jr.. 78, who spent 18 years on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, died in Winchester Medical Center two weeks after undergoing surgery for a stomach aneurysm. Smith served on the board from 1988 until his death, representing the Shawnee District. He was known for his ``Bone-a-lopes''--trips around the area to talk with the people he represented. He went to find their problems, and to fix them, and to make people feel comfortable with a grin, a pat on the back, and a ``hey, old buddy, hey old friend'' for a greeting, To hear his friends and family tell it, Smith was a friendly, outgoing man who never ran out of time for the people who voted him into office. ``If somebody needed help with a traffic light or a pothole or barking dogs, he would go out and visit them,'' his son, Harry Smith, said on Monday afternoon. ``He would be able to get things done for people.'' Harry said his father died ``just peacefully, and calmly, and in his own way.'' With a nostalgic laugh, he told of his father's intricate jokes: ``They are so long and complex that I--unfortunately, one of the things I had intended to do and never was able to do was to memorize those jokes. And I wish that I had.'' In addition to a list of complex jokes only Harrington could remember, the veteran supervisor left a family that included his wife, Barbara Armistead Smith; sons Harry and Michael Smith and Drury Armistead; daughter Beth; and nine grandchildren ranging in age from 5 to 23. ``He had a phenomenal memory for jokes,'' Dick Kern, an old friend and Harrington's former employer, said on Monday. ``His favorite saying was `God love you.' And he said that all the time.'' Kern stifled a chuckle before describing a man fond of parties and a good time. ``He loved a good rum drink,'' Kern said. ``He enjoyed drinking and relaxing and I did, too. So we were great partners.'' Party animal or not, Harrington ``Smitty'' Smith took care of his constituents, Kern said. ``If anybody called him on a road or a fence or any kind of problem, he made it a point to go out and check it himself and take care of the problem,'' said Kern, a former Winchester City Council member. ``And I guess that was another thing I liked about him . . . he was honest and you could rely on him, and you knew he would be there. ``He was a heck of a guy.'' Harrington's wife, Barbara, said her husband would do just about anything for just about anybody. In fact, that's how they met. ``Harrington was part of a 1ocal rescue squad bringing a psychiatric patient to the old Cork Street hospital emergency room,'' she said. ``And the patient jumped out the back towards these two women and Harrington tackled him, and the guy wound around and kicked him in the neck.'' Barbara had just come to the hospital as a physical therapist. Harrington became her patient. ``Yeah, I cured him, so he married me,'' she said with a laugh. ``At the time, he was just so outstandingly good- looking. And everybody liked him because he was such a good listener and he really, really, really loved people. He really did.'' Harry, who served on the Winchester City Council, said he always was amazed at how long his father stayed in public service. ``I wonder what impact he might have had if he had started in elected office, say in his 30s or 40s instead of his 60s,'' he said. ``I think it was always centered around and based around his love of this community.'' Harrington Smith the supervisor had a persona most people couldn't figure out. During his time in office, he switched from Republican to Democrat before becoming an independent. ``I was always surprised by his votes,'' former Supervisor Sidney ``Sid'' Reyes said. ``I never knew which way he was going to come.'' ``But he was a gentleman. The ultimate gentleman, I don't think Harrington Smith had an enemy or anyone who spoke ill of him.'' The man the public didn't get to see was a little less of an enigma, Harry said. ``If he wasn't out helping constituents, he was probably watching television, sitting on a couch, eating a grilled- cheese sandwich, with his feet propped up, his arm propped up on a pillow, and the cat in his lap,'' Harry said. ``He was a channel flicker. Anywhere from a sports to movies to the History Channel. And it had to be turned up very loud.'' Like the volume on him TV set, whenever Harrington had an idea, he put it out with force--especially when it came to state government controlling local decisions. ``You could always count on Harrington with a speech any time the subject came up,'' Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard C. Shickle said. ``He just stated his opinion and didn't pull any punches. . . . You didn't have any trouble understanding Harrington or his positions. He was just blunt.'' Frederick County Commonwealth's Attorney Lawrence R. Ambrogi called Harrington Smith ``outgoing,'' ``personable,'' and ``unique.'' ``He was one-of-a-kind, Ambrogi said. ``He was 78, he probably put in 200 years of life in that time.'' ``He sang the national anthem at different political functions, he was an announcer at the (stock car) racetrack. ``It's just sad because he'll never be replaced.'' Still, Shawnee residents can't go without representation on the Board of Supervisors. Ambrogi said the board has 45 days to appoint Harrington's replacement because the next election is less than 120 days away. Shickle and Ambrogi said the county needs time to grieve before worrying about that, though. ``I lost a friend,'' Shickle said. ``And I think we'll mourn first.''
Inscription
WILLIAM HARRINGTON JR.
APRIL 3, 1926
AUGUST 9, 2004
BELOVED HUSBAND
FREDERICK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
1988 - 2004
'GOD LOVE YA"
