George Michael Herrington

George Michael "Mike" Herrington of Fairfield, CT, a loving husband, father and grandfather who lived an exciting, rewarding life, died on Jan. 20 at age 81. Born in Warren, Ohio in 1944, Mike was a son of the late Dr. John D. Herrington Jr. and Gertrude Herlinger Herrington. The youngest of four children, Mike grew up in Ohio and earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University. In college, he met the love of his life, Cynthia Chabek, and the two were married in 1966. During Mike’s professional career, he worked in management positions for Shell Chemical Co., Olin Corporation, and Quebecor World, living in New York, Texas and, for the last 51 years, in Fairfield.

It was Mike’s numerous passions and pursuits, however, that came to define him. In his youth, he enjoyed gymnastics (he liked to show off how he could walk around his house on his hands) and diving. He raised award-winning field trial dogs with his father and was an avid outdoorsman his entire life. Fishing was always a love, bonding with a group of fishing buddies from South Benson Marina, as was boating with family and friends on Long Island Sound. He was a runner and swimmer, until recently logging several miles a week in the pool. He was a skilled craftsman, furniture maker and overall handyman. The few times you would catch him sitting was when he was rooting for Ohio State sports teams (he named his family dog Buckeye), reading numerous books or working on jigsaw puzzles.

Beyond his hobbies, Mike was a leader in the community. He was president of Lake Hills Association in the early 1980s and president of the Fairfield Seniors Golf Association for 17 years, retiring this past October, as well as serving on the Fairfield Golf Commission. He was a life member of the Fayerweather Yacht Club, and for several summers he helped recruit more than 100 boat captains for the Swim Across the Sound.

Most important of all was his love for his family. He and Cindy raised two sons, Ryan and John, in Fairfield. He then enjoyed spending time in his retirement in the company of his grandchildren, Caroline Herrington and Morgan and Maeve Herrington, as well as traveling with Cindy throughout the U.S. and Europe. Their travels included exploring the Alaskan glaciers and national parks, and most recently, taking trips to Eastern Europe, Scotland and Amsterdam.

Mike is survived by Cindy, Ryan (Lisa) and John (Jeanette), his grandchildren, his sisters Ann Dwyer and Elizabeth McNamara, his sister-in-law, Phoebe Herrington, and three nieces and three nephews. Mike was predeceased by his parents and his brother, John D. Herrington III.

A memorial service will take place at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield on Friday, Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).