HUDSON FALLS - Wendell Leslie Harrington, 64, of Hudson Falls and formerly of Warrensburg, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15th, 2015 at Glens Falls Hospital with his loving wife at his side.

Wendell was born Dec. 24, 1950 in Glens Falls, the son of late Leslie Harrington and Alice (Monroe) Harrington of Warrensburg, NY.

He graduated from Warrensburg Central School in 1969, where he was one of the key players in the great Warrensburg boys' basketball teams of the late 1960's, including their 1969 championship season.

He entered military service in April 1970 as a result of the draft, and served in the US Army, stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in February 1972.

On February 28, 1976, Wendell married Linda Jean Richards at the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg, NY. They immediately moved to Stillwater, Ok, where they lived until Dec. 1987, when they returned to Warrensburg to be closer to family.

Wendell considered himself one of the few "professional" bartenders left and took great pride in his work. He retired from the Glens Falls Country Club in December 2012 after over 23 years of service.

He was a member of American Legion Post #574 in Hudson Falls and the First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, NY.

Wendell was an avid Yankees fan and Mickey Mantle was his favorite player. He was an autograph and sports memorabilia collector, specializing in baseball. He was considered an expert in the field and many collectors came to him to authenticate their autographed items. He regularly attended local card shows and especially enjoyed "talking baseball" with anyone who would listen.

He was a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for 15 years and never missed an opportunity to visit Cooperstown, NY. In January of 2015, he considered it a great honor when the National Baseball Hall of Fame accepted his gift of a 1940 handwritten letter from Connie Mack, which can now be found in the Hall of Fame Library.

He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Glens Falls Dragons baseball team, and was co-chair of the Committee for the Philip D. Tucker, Sr. Memorial Wall at East Field. He enjoyed reading, garage sales and flea markets, as well as playing golf, fishing, and basketball. But the most important thing to him was spending time with his family.

Wendell was predeceased by his father, Leslie Harrington; his mother, Alice Harrington; his brothers, James M. Monroe and Eugene A. Monroe; his sister, Katherine M. Lyons; his step-father, Harold McClellan; and his father-in-law, Lawrence Richards. He was also predeceased by his grandparents and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and cousins.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Linda Harrington of Hudson Falls; his son, Brian M. Harrington and his fiancee, Zoya Hyatt, of South Glens Falls; and his father-in- law and mother-in law William and Barbara Hopkins. He is survived by sisters-in-law Cynthia Bennett, Sherry Innace, Laura (David) Pearsall, and Diane (Michael) Moon; brothers-in-law Bruce (CoraMae) Richards and Curtis (Kelly) Richards; niece Kelly (Michael) Vincent, nephews Kevin (Joanne) Monroe, and Gregory Lyons, as well as many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his "buddy", Scooter the cat.

Linda and Brian would like to especially thank Dr. Darci Gaiotti-Grubbs and all the staff at the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, as well as the staff on Tower 2, for their exceptional care and compassion.

Calling hours will take place Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804. Hudson Falls American Legion Post No. 574 will perform a brief ceremony at 5:45 p.m. during the calling hours.

A memorial service to honor and remember Wendell will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, officiating.

Interment, with military honors, will follow at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
Wendell's family requests memorial donations be made to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, 102 Park St., Glens Falls, NY 12801; First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, 3890 Main St., Warrensburg, NY 12885; or Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, P.O. Box 1037, Midtown Station, New York, NY 10018.

Condolences and floral bouquets may be sent directly to the funeral home or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.